Archive - April, 2012

so.worth.loving

April 26, 2012 in Beautiful You with 0 Comments

So Worth Loving

Today’s the day! It’s been in the making for about a month and a half – today, I’m posting over on another blog!

That’s right – today is the announcement of me joining the team of lovely ladies over at SO WORTH LOVING! The post is a simple intro into who I am and why I think SWL is such an important message that women (& men) across the globe, in all age ranges need to hear.

So Worth Loving is a community of people dedicated to spreading that message and helping empower people to pursue their dreams. We handcraft shirts that remind you you’re loved.

 

I “met” Eryn, the founder, via the blog a few months ago (which Keith actually found through Eryn’s husband as he worked on web/blog design stuff!) and when the opportunity to write periodically for SWL’s blog came up, I jumped in! I’m excited for the message and community to grow, for girls & women to see that they are worth loving simply because their life is precious! And that they are so valuable no matter what struggles or heartaches they face day-to-day.

Hop on over to So Worth Loving today to read the post!

You may learn a few new things about yours truly!

 

ENJOI TODAY!

SCK

 

Good Food

April 25, 2012 in Tasty Bites with 2 Comments

Coffee & Muffin Montreal

Each week, I attempt to meal plan for our family. It cuts down on wasted time each evening scouring the cabinets to put something together, it allows me to have a plan and list what I need to get each week at the grocery store, and it frees the Mr. and I from having the dreaded “what do you want” conversation each night as we’re starving! I not only plan our dinners, but I also host a small group of women each Wed. night in my home and I plan the snacks we’ll have.

Being hospitable is a part of who I am! It’s a part of the family I grew up in and a part of how we try to live now as a family. I can’t just put out chips and dip and be satisfied. I love planning and putting special effort into these things to make it great! (Tonight’s theme is wine & cheese with desserts that compliment!) I cannot tell you the freedom and weight that meal planning ahead of time has given me. I go through cookbooks, food magazines and food blogs to get ideas and put the week of dinners together, then I write it on our little weekly calendar on our fridge. And finally, I make a shopping list of what I need to make those meals. It takes time but it ends up saving me time each night and even allows me to do some prep throughout the day if I already know what the end result is going to be!

It thrills me to be able to put good meals on our table, prepare a well-thought out menu for a small group and put energy into the details of each. (This also transcends to party planning! LOVE IT!)

I’m not the best cook or baker, but I can follow a recipe and get to the desired end product. And I love good food, in fact, good food is so important to me that I recently told the hubster that I would pay up to $1000 to be able to enjoy a Doner Kebab from Germany! Good thing that’s not possible because we’d be out a lot of money for one meal!

The last Doner I had… on our honeymoon in Germany 2008.

Not everyone has these interests or even cares about good food and in the recent weeks I’ve noticed this more and more. In my day-to-day life with family and friends, those around me do care about food, whole foods and real food. But stepping out of that and I’m hit with the reality that most people are not “foodies”… it makes me sad but it’s true. Some see meals and eating as a means to just get energy and a need for our bodies. Others just simply don’t have the experience with good food or the difference that it makes in your life. I want you to care! I want you to know the difference between a GOOD dinner and one that’s just getting you by! Life is way too short to not enjoy the food you’re eating and make it worth eating!

 

Latte & best mixed berry muffin I’ve enjoyed – Montreal

I’m not an arguer or debate-driving person. I often find that no good comes of turning in a simple evening of hanging out into a debate on subjects that just bring division… recently I was surrounded by a few people who see food the way I do, and some that don’t… those that didn’t would have loved to get into a debate about it and I entertained it for a bit but decided that it wasn’t worth it. However, I know there are a hundred truths and studies to prove that what they were saying is not true. Even in knowing that real food makes a difference in your body, energy levels and overall enjoyment of the food – I’m not willing to argue about it. Just know that I will always fight for good food!

As my family strives to stick to real foods (non-processed, pasture raised animals, natural and organic produce) I’m continually surprised at the amount of people that have no interest in even learning why these things are important! I can tell you from personal experience that the Mr. and I not only agree on the importance of this but can taste the serious difference between REAL food and everything else – garden grown produce vs. mass-produced. We no longer buy conventional fruits & veggies – because organically grown produce is FAR superior in taste!

Some say this makes me a food snob – so be it! In fact, one of my best friends and fellow food snob is coming to visit this weekend and I’m thrilled to be able to take her to some of the tastiest joints in the cities! If you’re not a foodie, I hope you will be one day and care more about the quality and taste of what’s going into your mouth and body. Beyond the health benefits which cannot be ignored, there’s plenty to be said about tasty food! I think people settle way to often for junky/crappy food due to the way our marketed society gives in to advertisements and the next bag of chips on the end cap at the grocery store. It’s not only about eating healthy, to me it’s also about savoring and enjoying what you’re eating.

Being someone who cares about food and has the “researcher” genes, I enjoy watching many food-amentaries and reading books such as In Defense of Food by Michael Polluck. Some of the best films I’ve watched include Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead; To Market, To Market; Fresh; Food, Inc. and there are many, many more! I suggest you watch at least one of them, or find a different one that will give you some prospective on GOOD food. What it means to eat organic, why it’s important and how it impacts your body.

Recently someone I was talking with was somewhat dumbfounded that the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) allows pink slime in our beef and couldn’t believe they would let things that are not good for us into our supermarkets – I’m afraid that this is the common thinking and it’s scary. Take time to educate yourself! Take time to know what’s best to serve your family and what’s just not good for their bodies! Just because something is advertised as good for you, typically there are lots of loop holes and only percentages the companies’ have to report! Dive in and learn for yourself. Sit down with a grocery store carrot, and one plucked from an organic garden this summer – you’ll taste the difference immediately!

My mother-in-law makes fun of me (in a fun way) sometimes because I’m known for taking pictures of my food/plate before diving into the deliciousness. It’s not something she really cares about and may not really ever understand but for me – every meal is an opportunity, a learning experience, a chance to really enjoy the tastes and aromas. To relax usually with friends or family. And capturing that plate is part of my experience!

All this to say – Food Matters! It’s not always about being super healthy in my book, it’s that good food makes a difference, not only in your experience at the meal table. I urge you to grow to appreciate good food! I’m off to make a snack now! Rest assured I will ENJOY it!

Steak & Shrimp anniversary dinner (not the healthiest- but very tasty!) – Montreal

Enjoi Today

SCK

Friday Reminder

April 20, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

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In the quiet stillness of this morning the sun illuminated every space of my kitchen, as my breakfast was sizzling on the stovetop, I reached for my God Calling book from atop the tiny shelf. Flipping through the well-worn pages, April 20th, “Life is a Love-Story” the title read. Words jumped off the page and intertwined themselves in my heart and mind. Exactly the message I needed to hear this morning as the day began. With Lil Miss in my arms, pondering the previous night’s unexpected news from a friend and earnest prayers, my spirit was lifted and my mind told the things I need to understand today.

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“  You need Me. I need you.
My broken world needs you. Many a weary troubled heart needs you. Many a troubled heart will be gladdened by you, draw nearer to Me by you both.  
Health – Peace – Joy – Patience – Endurance, they all come from contact with Me.
Oh! it is a glorious way, the upward way, the wonderful discoveries, the tender intimacies, the amazing, almost incomprehensible, understanding. Truly the Christian life – Life with Me – is a Lovestory. Leave all to Me.
All you have missed you will find in Me, the Soul’s Lover, the Soul’s Friend, Father – Mother – Comrade – Brother. Try Me.
You cannot make too many demands upon Me -
nor put too great a strain upon My Love and Forbearance.
Claim – claim – claim – Healing – Power – Joy – Supply – what you will.  “
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- From God Calling, A.J. Russell

Lil’ Miss – 6 Months

April 19, 2012 in Mamahood with 1 Comment

6 months

My oh my… my little lady is growing up and getting her little self all around this place! Today marks 6 months since she arrived in our arms and took over our lives! She is truly awe-inspiring and makes us drop our jaws in admiration and joy over her life and her abilities every single day.

(Celebrating today!) 

She now thoroughly enjoyed her Johnny Jump Up that we hang in the doorways and is getting to know her new-to-her activity center. Thankful to not only have to lay on the ground and scoot to get toys, she enjoys being up and seeing the world as she plays.

She’s well on her way to mastering the crawl… not completely there yet but that doesn’t stop her from moving all about to get where she wants to be! She’s up on her knees, nose-diving, booty in the air – working her way to places she wants to be!

We’ve begun to have family mealtimes with her in her Bumbo at the table! (She’s always sat up there with us but as of two weeks ago, she gets food too!) She has taken a liking to a few foods she explores and “eats” – carrots & green beans have been enjoyed along with red peppers pulling in as a favorite! Adding a few attempts at some pork and chicken! She’s well on her way to knowing what GOOD food is and savoring her meals. (I plan to do a post on the way we’re going about her beginning food/eating stages in the near future -

we’re not doing any purees – technically called baby-led weaning or, self-feeding… it’s more in line with how babies develop naturally than spoon-feeding! Like I said, another post regarding that is in the works for next week!)

We are so proud of her and thankful beyond what words can express for her being a part of our lives and God allowing us to raise a precious child of His. I am in pure amazement most days at how much she has learned and accomplished in her short 6 months… and so excited I get to observe and take part in how God shapes her life in the future.

I’ve already seen God use her to bring about smiles, laughter and joy in others’ lives. She is nothing but content, happy, a silly one and will gladly pass along a smile to brighten anyone’s day. There is no stranger in her eyes and she definitely has my curiosity of things – which I cannot thank God enough for! I love watching her discover and figure things out. I hope she’s always willing to discover, seek and find, enjoy new experiences and learn from what is around her. I want her to know she is free to explore the world as her playground, that she will discover other cultures and love on people in places far from her comfort zone!

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(Papa was her playground last week!) 

In her 6 months of life she’s been to Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York (& NYC), Illinois (Chicago), Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, Mexico… I’d say she’s off to a pretty good start on the traveling thing! She’s a trooper! (My Dad used to tell me that when we were traveling and touring the umpteenth cathedral during our years in Europe!)

We’re celebrating her 1/2 year today and so thankful for what she’s brought to our family!

Enjoy today!

SCK

An Anniversary & A Bambino!

April 18, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Crystalina & Jesus POPS

There is much to celebrate today!
My heart is overflowing with jubilation!
I am grinning ear-to-ear!
I am elated to celebrate today! 

Why so much joy you ask?! You see, today marks a very special anniversary of two dear, dear friends in my life AND those friends just happened to have their first baby boy THIS MORNING!!!! Combine that with the fact that it was one of their birthdays earlier this week and we have a Celebration TRI-FECTA!

These two people, Crystalina & Jesus, bring so much into my life – joy, laughter, faith, growth, love, with a whole lotta e.t.c.! We’ve spent much time together and celebrated just about every event you can think of in each others’ presence. Affectionately, we call one another brothers and sisters. These two truly are that in my life.

In 2007, soon after I moved to NJ upon college graduation, I met Crystalina at the coffee lounge I was working at that my brother-in-law managed. It was an instant hit-off with us and our friendship has grown from those days on. We’ve not only spent time together, we’ve mentored teens together, had long talks over coffee, discussed and struggled with life decisions together, traveled and established a deep life-long friendship!  I met Jesus practically the same way – through my brother-in-law – he’s from Costa Rica and became closer than family in a matter of months. By the way – Costa Rica – what a beautiful country – if given the opportunity, I’d move there in a heartbeat!)

Last year, I got a call from Crystalina while she was down in CR visiting her (then) fiancé! They were thinking about getting married within a few days instead of the bigger wedding they’d been planning for later in the fall. I was so on-board for many reasons and in an instant knew I just had to figure out how to be in CR for the big event! Given about 48 hours until the ceremony, I hit the internet in search of tickets, ok’d it with Keith and called my Dad. Since I knew their wedding was happening quick, not many others from the US were going to be able to attend, which made it all the more important to conquer this feat and be there to celebrate their marriage as they said their vows.

Two frantic days later, I was packed, had a cell phone that would work in CR (try explaining that situation to the AT&T rep!), was packed and…. did NOT have a ticket! That’s right, it was now Saturday morning and I was waiting for the last minute ticket price to lower once more before confirming my flight that afternoon! Keith and I headed to the food market we volunteer at and he was on his iPhone every five minutes checking. With my bags in the car, I was ready to go straight to the airport! An hour and a half into our 3 hour shift, I told our team leader that we had to go – that I was actually going to Costa Rica and we had just bought the ticket on the iPhone! Needless to say, there was a lot of fast-paced explaining before we hit the highway to get me to my flight which was boarding in 2.5 hours!

That day, I was full of joy – not only was I getting to go back to Costa Rica (where I’d been the past two years in April as well), but I was going to be participating and witnessing two of my closest friends say, I do! Armed with a boarding pass, cell phone and camera, I was off! I arrived in CR that night and stayed with some missionary friends we know there. The next day began a whirl wind of wedding planning if I’ve ever seen it!

Due to the surprise of deciding to get married within three days – Crystalina was off to find a dress and I joined in the decorating committee, became the driver for the groom, and the event photographer! We had so much fun and there is not another couple I would want to go through that expedited process with! From grabbing flowers on our way to Jesus’ hometown from the airport, to stopping by the local hardware store to have a 12 ft plastic pipe weaved through our car, to finding a wedding night cabin for them which & having to call the fireman to come exterminate a swarm of bees in the area, to being asked within 10 minutes of the wedding if I’d walk her down the aisle! Much fun, stress and laughter was had to say the least!

As I think back, that trip was fantastic, and it also came at a time where I needed a revamp and a time away from MN in the most serious way. Things were rough around here last spring as we settled into life in MN and a trip away, to reconnect with a place I so long for almost every week, was just what the Almighty Doctor ordered!

So, a year ago today, I witnessed their marriage and was able to support them in a unique way being in Costa Rica…. and yesterday, I was sending text messages back and forth with Crystalina as she experienced the ups and downs of labor as she prepared to give birth to their son, Micah! What a year!!

This morning, at 8am,
Micah Mauricio Solano
was born!


Making Crystalina and Jesus parents on their first wedding anniversary! A long and hard night for both, yet such a joyous occasion for so many as we all welcome this little boy to the world and our hearts.

I am so freakin’ proud of these two, the trials and challenges they have face and continue to face seem like immoveable mountains often, but they cling to their God and trust in His unfailing plans for the fullest life He has for them. They constantly encourage one another, seeking out the best in each other so that not only in their marriage but in their friendships and family life they are working to be who God has made them to the utmost! And now, happily entering parenthood and so looking forward the adventure that will bring to their family!

There is much to celebrate today! There is much to be thankful for – their love & marriage, their healthy baby boy and our friendship with one another! Shortly after waking up this morning, we were able to Skype with Jesus and to hear the excitement through the tiredness of his voice was amazing. If only I could give each of them a giant bear hug!

I am thankful for the peace God brought through the labor and delivery, for the joy of new parents and the miracle of life that God allows us to experience as mama’s and papa’s. I’m thankful for friendships that go beyond talks – that are real and that we know we each would do anything in the world to be able to support and show love to one another. From airport pick-ups, to traveling for weddings and text message galore… this is what life-long friendship are for!

Seeing as this much has happened in a year – a year and a week ago, they didn’t even know they would be married within 7 days – I am wait in anxious anticipation over what God will bring them through and the adventure that is to be had throughout the next year as they welcome Micah into their lives and arms!

Crys & Jesus – SO proud of you guys! May God bless you today as you celebrate the life that has been added to your family! And may rest from the past few long days be found for each of you! Micah is such a precious boy and a joy in my life already! (PS – we did tell Brooklyn that her husband was born today! And Keith followed that up with the fact that he’s Costa Rican so they’d have cute kids one day! Never too early to start arranged marriages! ha) We’ll take you to POPS to celebrate when we all are in CR together SOON!

Enjoy today! 

SCK

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