Photo Party: Memory Lane filled with Love

Dearest Bigfoot,

You are turning three this weekend and words will never be able to capture how much you make my heart swell. How much you make me happy. How much you teach me about love and laughter. You have been such a treasure and it's still pretty surreal that you have been with us for three whole years.

You've blessed us the moment we laid eyes on you. You blessed us since the moment we heard you cry. You've blessed us in the way you've changed our lives and our perspective. We never knew our hearts were so capable of such love until we met you. We never knew we were capable of learning, on levels that have challenged us, what sacrificial love truly is - and how beautiful it is.

With every challenge you have met us with just as much -or more, really - joy, smiles, and laughter. Your spirit is beautiful and gentle. You love your brother. You love your dada. You love your mama and so many others. You not only gift our little family with so much love, but also your grandparents, aunt, uncles, and friends. You share love and sweetness galore, and it's beautiful.

I love you sweet boy. I'm excited for all the goodness that is still to come. I pray our Lord keep you always. Wrapped in his sweet, loving, and gentle Presence. And, I pray that Our Lady always keep you safe in her constant words of motherly prayer all the days of your life. 

i love you. i love you. i love you. always and forever.

Best Whole Chicken Recipe

Let me start off by saying I strongly dislike all things cooking whole chicken. Really. I'm not a fan of raw chicken in general, but whole chicken is just a whole other ball game. So I'm always on the hunt to find a recipe that requires the least amount of touching the slimy thing that I just know is going to make me sick from salmonella somehow.

You can imagine how excited I was to find this roasted chicken recipe from the kitchn! I was thrilled. It involved me washing and drying the chicken, patting it dry (I told myself it was comparable to bathing my stinky boys), and sticking it in a dutch oven (Another reason I love this recipe! Cleaning a dutch oven is much easier than a crockpot or a baking pan!). Very little mess when there normally is tons more. Or at least for me and whole chickens.

I've cooked with coconut milk before (which I love!), but never Lemongrass (which I now love too!). This recipe calls for both as well as some other favorites like cilantro, lemon, cinammon, garlic, and spinach! All things gloriously yummy!

I can't tell you how much we love this chicken. It's fragrant the entire time it's cooking and falls right off the bone once done.

I make it over my favorite Texmati rice and absolutely loved the touch of spinach being sauteed in the juices that come from all the amazing flavors.

Good stuff y'all!

The fact that this recipe has now allowed for a whole chicken to enter into my favorite dish rotation is kind of a big deal.

Hope you'll give it a try! I promise it won't disappoint!

Recipe from the kitchn:

Chicken in Coconut Milk with Lemongrass
Serves 4 to 6
1 whole roasting chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter (I know it says to pour the butter out after browning the chicken but I left it and my tastebuds were happy I did too!)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole pieces star anise - I used fennel seed since it's what I had. I've also used 1/2-1 TSP of ground clove.
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro stems
1 large lemon, cut into eighths and make sure there are no seeds!
1 stalk lemongrass, 5 inches of white part only, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
6 to 8 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 (16-ounce) can coconut milk
3 cups Spinach - Can use whatever green you enjoy wilted.
Chopped cilantro, to garnish
Cooked rice, to serve

Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle it liberally with salt and pepper. Put the chicken, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (I didn't do this and the chicken was still amazing!), or if you're going to cook it right away, set it aside while you prepare remaining ingredients.

When ready to bake the chicken, preheat the oven to 375° F. 

Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the oil. Put in the chicken, breast side up, and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds. Carefully flip the bird and crisp the other side for another 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat, put the chicken on a plate, and pour off the the fat in the pot. 

Transfer the chicken back into the pot, breast side up, and add the cinnamon stick, star anise, chopped cilantro stems, lemon, lemongrass, garlic and coconut milk. Cook, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 60 to 90 minutes (depending on size - I would encourage the 90 minutes though. 90 minutes was fall of the bone amazing, while the 60 minutes made me work a little.). Spoon the sauce over the top of the bird to baste every 20 minutes or so. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 165° F. 

Remove chicken from the pot and put it on a plate. Pull out and discard the cinnamon stick and star anise. Put the pot with the sauce back on the stovetop over medium heat, add the spinach and stir until just wilted, about 10 seconds (DO THIS! IT'S SO GOOD!). 

Carve the chicken and serve each piece over rice that already has the wilted spinach and sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with some cilantro leaves if that's your thing!

NOM NOM! ENJOY! 

Also, I'm linking this up with Bobbi over at Revolution of Love Blog for her Pinterest Party Link-up, since I found this lovely recipe on Pinterest.

tl;dr - Here I am

Since the deadlines and nap strikes I've been having trouble finding my groove on my little space on the internet. I haven't been updating family with the oodles of pictures I do have on my camera and I haven't been sharing thoughts and moments and memories with words either.

So, here's my tl;dr (Because the boys are napping!):

• I'm sleepy. This state has remained the same.
• Linus is cutting incsiros and molars. It's a party. Every. Night. And, days are filled with quite the random tantrum as well as an insanely adorable smile and laugh.
• Bigfoot is still not struggling in the sleep department as well. It's been about a month and I'm still praying it's a phase.
• Nap times used to be my favorite. My absolute favorite because I was able to get in some quiet time to read, blog, exercise, or do nothing. Now? Not so much. I miss that little bit of time.
• We are settling more and more into our new home. We've been here for a little over two months now and I still could not be more happy with our home sweet home. The gift of our our home amazes me daily. I'm forever grateful.
• I spend time wishing I had skills I don't have. Such as: home decorating skills (Which sometimes I think I'd have them if I would just spend the money here and there to do the things that I have in my head, but I don't.), planning skills, meal planning skills (are you seeing a trend here?), super mom multitasking. And, the list goes on. Maybe if I set myself to do just one thing during these little wish dazes I might actually acquire a new skill.
• Oh, I won two giveaways!! Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it still! I won a beautiful Mother's Day giveaway through Kendra at Catholic All Year. Always Rosary provided a gorgeous rosary (photos to come in a post that I am hoping to get to soon!) and I won beautiful earrings through Jenna at Call Her Happy! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
• I have back pain. Like, major back pain. In the lower area. It's an old injury that has flared up over the years here and there, but much more frequently since Linus was born.
• Now, because of this back pain I have gotten myself an appointment with a chiropractor and could not be more thrilled. I need help. The back pain just makes my days so much harder and my nights much more restless than they already are with my two little night partying monkeys. Praying that I get results from these upcoming appointments!
• I love my husband. This isn't a new thing but it is something I have been doing lately. Not always to the best of my ability (Sorry, babe!), but I do love him more than he'll ever know.
• My boys make my heart happy in ways I never knew possible and I love them. Always and forever. So very much. Amen.
• Lily got a haircut.
• I love to bake. Still.
• Lemonzest is happiness in my nose. and mouth.
• I saw Mom's Night Out and absolutely loved it. In fact, I want to see it again. It was hilarious, sweet, and all things I could relate to. The great thing is, I think non-moms would enjoy it too. It was so stinkin' funny! I really want to see it again. It was good for my soul to watch it and to laugh so hard. So, if you haven't seen it yet, GO SEE IT ASAP! 
• I love my friends. I am so grateful for them. Really really!
• I'm going to EDEL! And, CANNOT WAIT!
• Speaking of, I finished reading Something Other Than God. It was amazing! I loved every bit of it! If you haven't read it, you must! During every spare moment this past month I have been reading that or The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home. Both of these books have been amazing and good for my soul that longs for Him in my day-to-day.
• I love our family. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc etc etc They are all amazing and I'm grateful.
• We went to The Lot for my husband's company party. It was amazing! We had such a great time and it was perfect fun for the boys. Imagine three ginormous sand lots surrounded by tables. So. Much. Fun! If you're ever in the Dallas area, go there!
• It's JuNe! Our little Junebug/Bigfoot/Oldest was born! We'll be celebrating him towards the end of the month (which reminds me, I have yet to make that EVITE for his little birthday celebration). Oye! Either way, I'm excited to celebrate and remember all things wonderful about my soon to be three year old!
• Babies! Friends have been having babies galore and I am loving it!
• I went and had margaritas with my neighbor after our kiddos were down for the night. Best night out in a long time! Loved it and love her! So very grateful to have such a sweet neighbor that I can enjoy this tough gig called motherhood - during the day at the park and out in the evening for drinks. Fun times are ahead and I'm grateful!
• I have been updating here and there (definitely more often than the blog lately) on Instagram. So if you are on there, look for me!
• We've had lots of park days. No library days. A handful of daily Masses (which I would love to do more of). Patio days. Popsicle evenings with a side of basketball. 

All in all, we're still treading but it's getting much calmer. The fact that I was able to coherently jot a few of our recent to-dos is major progress for me. 

Thanks Jenna for this great link-up! And, thank you for stopping by and for any prayers ya'll are sending our way!

Hugs & Love!

The monkeys from the archive.

Ocean of Goodness and Love

It's one of those days where I have zero clue as to the actual day. I was swearing to my husband that it was Monday, which gave him one of those please-let-her-be-wrong-it-couldn't-possibly-be-Monday looks. Fortunately, I was wrong. But, gee-whiz, if that's any sign that I/we could use a break I don't know what is!

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

-Blessed Mother Teresa

With late work nights, scattered with holidays, and life responsibilities, I feel like my head is just above water. Peeking out. Trying to find land. I know it's there. Just a few more strokes till my feet can touch the ground so that I can find my bearings and hopefully trudge my way to dry land. It's there. Dry land. Sunshine. Salty breezes. And, warmth.

The soft sand that squishes beneath your toes. The landing place that lets you sit back and enjoy the sounds of the ocean instead of forcing yourself to fight the current. Where you can just enjoy the salty air. Breathe it in. Feel it on your skin. Enjoy.

I know it's there. But, when you're out, treading past wave after wave, it's hard to really know. All you see is the next wave coming your way. You pray that you can get over this next one - just this next one. Because that's the only energy you can muster up for that moment. Enough energy for the next one.

And, sometimes that's okay. Sometimes that's just the season. We've been up to our ears in that season these last few weeks, but thankfully, the water is getting to a place of calm. And, thankfully I can swim. Even if it looks rough. Even if it's not entirely efficient. I'm just thankful I can tread. Thankful.

Long work hours are tough days/weeks/months for everyone. Limits get tested both physically and mentally. Throw a teething baby into the mix - the one who likes to arch his back and not be consoled - and you have a mix for the potential to drown.

But, I'm not drowning. I'm not going to drown. Grace abounds. And, this is good.

Let us throw ourselves into the ocean of His goodness, where every failing will be canceled and anxiety turned into love.
-St. Paul of the Cross

The passion of Jesus is a sea of sorrows, but it is also an ocean of love. Ask the Lord to teach you to fish in this ocean. Dive into its depths. No matter how deep you go, you will never reach the bottom.
St. Paul of the Cross

  

The words of the saints hold me during these times. They remind me that every little bit counts and the fact that I am treading water is okay. They remind me that even though my little ocean exhausts me from time to time, I am forever thankful for every part of it.  The two toddlers and wonderful husband make up my little ocean of goodness. It's the same ocean where His Love can always be found whether it be on the sandy beach or deep in the crashing waves.

Every time I respond with love and tenderness, His Goodness and Love meets my children and husband. The saints remind me that His Love abounds and somehow my failings can be transformed with His Grace. They remind me that I've been taught to love and therefore am capable to share it - daily and to the best of my sleepy-mama ability.

As much as I struggle, I know I love them with all that I am. And, because of that truth I know that at the end of my days I have erred on the side of Love as much as my little mama self can. So, the challenge for me is to find Him and His Love in my crashing waves and in the sunshine. To know that this is a season. That it will pass. And, with His Grace, embrace the ups and downs of my vocation with joy.


The saints are always so great about encouraging perspective in me that calms my soul during these tough times. What brings you to a place of peace during the crazy that inevitably ensues with littles under your roof?

7QT: Two weeks in the making!

--- 1 ---

Well, here I am on a Friday night sitting on my couch. The pup snuggled up to me, my youngest sleeping, and I'm pretty sure my oldest is asleep even though my husband is not out here with me. This little truth can only mean that dada has fallen asleep with the toddler. It's sweet. And, indicative of how our week has been. 

My husband has had a deadline approaching. The deadline that was this past Wednesday has carried on to today because sometimes, things just come up. As much as I love his work and love him for doing it and love even moreso that he really enjoys the work he does, deadline hours can be tough.

--- 2 ---

Haha. He just walked out with the yes-I-fell-asleep face.

Fair enough. I know he's tired. We're both tired. This deadline really wore us both out this time around. But, with lots of grace and prayers, I'm so glad we've made it through. The boys did so well on the really late nights. They did well during the day while playing outside. They even did well by not completely wrecking the house while inside.

I'd say that's a major win. Major.

~~~
Ok, so I tried posting this last Friday. The crazy just kept on being crazy. Amidst crazy, blogging was left on the shelf. I kept walking past it wanting to engage so many times, but time and the children were just not having it. So, these quicktakes are being finished a week later, because that's just what crazy does to my blog.
~~~

ONWARD!

--- 3 ---

Where were we? Ah yes, major wins.

You know what else is a major win? I have two dear friends who just had babies. Sweet, soft, and wrinkled cuties! Both mamas did amazing throughout labor and delivery and I could not be more happy for their beautiful families.

So, if you all would join me in praying for Jorja and Katey, their families, and their sweet new bundles of joy, that'd be great! Pray that these next few months of great joys and painful exhaustion be filled with grace. The kind of grace that makes them feel held throughout the night while they are holding their newest gifts from Above.

And, if you could pray for Courtney, Adrienne, and Jess, who are all hoping to deliver within a months time.

Thank you!

--- 4 ---

We also have more babies that are getting ready to meet this world, which I love! I love seeing how these beautiful mothers embrace their vocation and dignity with such grace and prayer. It's encouraging. Uplifting. Hopeful. Exciting. And, I'm thankful.

Speaking of new mamas. Do you all ever use CareCalendar? It's such a great way to help a family out once their new little bundle decides to join the party. It's a free online calendar that helps friends of families with new littles plan to bring them meals and to meet the newest addition. You just go online to your friends calender and schedule a time to bring them a meal based on their need.

I had never heard of this till my first. A friend of mine made a calendar for me, and because I ended up having a cesarean and did not freeze meals in advance, I was so incredibly grateful and definitely in need of that extra help. As much as the food was so very helpful to our family, I think I loved getting to see my friends most and letting them meet our boys (I had another calendar for when Linus was born). In that I had cesareans, I'm technically not supposed to drive for 6-8 weeks (I don't remember exactly). Either way, it's nice that friends come to me since I can't come to them.

So, if you have any expecting mamas you should definitely check out this little website. It is such a blessing!

~~~
Haha, okay, we have had another intermission. Do quicktakes have intermissions? Anyways, I'm hoping to finish these and get them linked up!
~~`

ONWARD, once more!

--- 5 ---

I'm sleepy. Ha! Yes, the craziness has me talking about sleep, again. That's just how it is, right? When things get crazy busy all you think about is sleep. Especially when the littles aren't sleeping which means you really really aren't sleeping.

Linus decided that he has zero pain tolerance and the poor baby is cutting some incisors as well as his molars. I see them. There. Under his gummy skin and just looking at them makes me sleepy. Because after the 3.5 hour cry party he pulled two nights ago, my eyes can't help but anticipate increased depth in the dark circles beneath.

I'm happy to report we survived the night. The next morning, I got Linus to the doctor to say my son is crazy and cries like nothing I knew possible, for the doctor to check him and look at me with the I'm-so-sorry-but-I-think-it's-*just*-teething face. 

On the one hand, I'm so glad that nothing is wrong. On the other hand, I'm like, come onnn Linus, surely you can tolerate pain a smidge better than that insane display in the middle of the night, last night???

*sigh*

--- 6 ---

And, since we're on the topic of selfish me and my obsession with sleep while I'm sleep-deprived caring for my beautiful babies, Bigfoot caught a virus.

What??? Really?

When do these things happen? Poor baby has had fever since yesterday and isn't shaking it. He hasn't been much for food and has been a little on the low energy side.

I'm not sure how providence decided all this would be a good idea. But, here we are. Husband still pulling late hours. Both boys struggling in one way or another. And, then there's me. Trying to keep it together.

By the grace of God, I am holding it together. By the sweetest grace of God. And, His Angels. And, prayers from those Above and present. There have been lots of prayers. And, Mama Mary. Sweetest of sweet, Mamas. Her precious prayers have been holding me, I know.

Also, this song has been helpful.

And, I'm grateful.


--- 7 ---

Now, I'm here. I made it to quick-take numero 7! Thank goodness. It only took two whole weeks! It's Friday, my parents just drove in for the weekend (*insert happy heart dance*), my husband is home and resting, both boys are presently napping (neither have fever anymore and I'm praying it stays that way!), and I'm here, sitting, snacking, and sharing.

Sweet times are just around the corner and I'm excited. I love having family in town and this is the first time my dad has seen our new home. The boys are excited. We are excited! We're hoping for no viruses, some pool time, play time, lots and lots of family time, relaxation, smiles, laughter, hugs, and goodness.

I'll leave you with some fun pictures I caught the other day at the park.

Thanks for stopping by!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!