Vacation 2012

Be forewarned, this post will have lots of pictures! For two weeks this summer my little family joined our bigger family for a beach family vacation. We had a blast. The first week we pretty much went to the beach every day. On the second day, Mia got knocked over by a wave and was terrified of the water, she didn't even want Patrick or I to go in. We also went on surrey rides, went to a Phillies game and stopped at Pat's cheese steaks, visited with the Cotters and rode some rides. Pam and Jared came down mid way through the week, we went jet skiing with them and Pam taught Mia all about sand fiddlers.

 Fetching water from the Ocean

 Our camp

 Surrey rides 

 Before the Phillies game

 Learning all about sand fiddlers

 Returning the sand fiddlers to the sand

 Mia was definitely in her happy place at the beach! She still asks daily when we can go to the beach house

 Notice the sleeping baby in the tent! Pleasantly surprised she slept on the beach!

Mia reading ALL her books

On the rides with her friend Drew

 This is my favorite picture!

The second week, Lindsey, Abram, Royce, my mom, and grandparents joined the crew. My cousin Matt and his family came down for a trip to the boards, we went to Storybook land, rode Lots more rides, went para-sailing  and to the Cape May Zoo. Overall, best family vacation we have had to date. Can't wait to do it again next year!

 Royce Bean

 Grams helping Mia feed the goats

 Mia cruising with Grams supervising

 The sign says it all

 Mary's little lamb. Mia was so concerned because she wasn't with her mommy and daddy

 The best picture of multiple attempts at a group shot

 Nothing better then cousins in a hole, with some water and sea foam

 'Catching stuff'

 Sea foam

 More rides!

Finally saw the Giraffes and Zebras at the zoo!

In the moment

I have recently been reading the book, One thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp. It was a little difficult to read due to the different writing style, but it has been full of lots of little nuggets of truth that have been helpful to me in my current state of life. I feel I am in a constant state of 'what's next, what has to get done, what can I sacrifice in order to be able to get to the next item on the list?' basic survival mode. Instead of focusing on the task in front of me, I find myself constantly looking ahead, trying to avoid the next crisis and survive the next day. Here is the problem with that: I am missing this current state of being in the present. I read a quote recently (I think from the book but not sure) that says, 'wherever you are, be all there'. I don't want to miss out on the current joys of life all the while just trying to survive. I have started changing my way of thinking, trying to focus on the here and now and wherever I am, being solely focused on that person or task. For example, when my daughter wants to read a book first thing in the morning, we read; when my husband tells me about his day, I listen without making a to-do list in my head; when I am at chemo with my mom, I try to spend time with her in quality conversation and listening to her needs, not just playing on my phone. For those of you who know me, know this is a challenge for me. I feel hat I always need to be productive, in control and taking care of everyone but sometimes taking care of everyone means just stoping and playing at the sand table with my daughter.
Psalm 39:6 says, 'we are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in NOTHING. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.' Wow talk about an eye opener! So in the midst of the day to day, wherever I am I want to be all there!

Mia's Birthday party

Mia woke up to a new to her tricycle

                                     

In the morning we went to COSI, a local kids discovery hands on museum. We pretty much stayed on the toddler floor exploring various careers, building and fixing things, and driving a helicopter. Grams, Gramps, Grammie, Grandma, Aunt Lindsey, Abram, and Royce joined us. Mia's favorite was the water room (above)

In the afternoon, we had a Mia's 2nd Birthday party! In case you didn't guess by the pictures it was a sunflower theme.

These brownie pops were delicious but took 20 min to complete per pop, and did not look like sunflowers. Needless to say, we only made 5!

 My favorite decoration was given to us by Patti deWilde at Ahl cooped up! I love them and they make a great table decoration all year round!

Mia made Grandma sit at the little table

Grammie got Mia a slide, we set it up inside since it was raining out

I think the guys are more excited about the party then Mia is

Sunflower cake made with peeps and chocolate chips

Aunt Lindsey and Royce sang 'Happy Birthday' to Mia 3 times!

Menu Plan Monday

I trying something new this month. It's called once a month grocery shopping. Sounds a little overwhelming, but my hope is that if I can go to the grocery store once a month it will not only save me money (I inevitably spend 50-80$ every time I go in 'just for milk') but it will also save me time. And time right now is very important to me So I have made out my monthly meal plan, organized my grocery list and this past weekend headed to Costco and Giant Eagle in hopes of not returning til June!

I am also going to plan to complete 1-2 tasks in the evenings after Mia is in bed in hops of keep my ever feeling sense of overwhelmingness (is that a word?) at bay. I have added those to my menu in hopes that if I write it  down I will do it :)

So week one of the month of May looks like this:

Monday: Sizzling chicken and salad

      task: fold laundry and put away

      task: pay bills

Tuesday: Crock pot ranch pork chops, noodles, and brocoli

      task: organize coupons
      task: update blog from month of April

Wednesday: Chicken and white bean stuffed peppers

      No task-watch Modern Family

Thursday: Tacos and Avacado, corn and black bean salad

      task: vacuum living room, sweep and mop kitchen

Friday: grilled chicken, grilled baked potatoes, and corn on the cob

     No task-might go to Creekside to feed the ducks

Saturday: Drew Cotter's Birthday party!

Sunday: Pulled Pork sandwiches

I hope you all have a great week!

If you would like more menu planing ideas head over here.

This week

This is the Bible verse I am clinging to this week as I feel that God is leading down from the mountain into a valley of unknown depth. God is faithful and I know that he will not abandon me.

Isaiah 43:1a-3b:

1b "Do not fear for I have redeemed you; 

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through waters, 

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, 

you will not be  burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

3a For I am the LORD you God, 

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Thoughts

A few weeks ago, I attended a conference called more4orphans at Vineyard Church of Columbus. Prior to attending the conference, I could sense that God was causing a stirring and longing in my heart and soul for a deeper sense of who he is and what he desires from us. The main speaker was Wess Stafford the CEO of Compassion International. His thought provoking message brought to light, through scriptures, how truly significant and important children are to God and that we as adults are called to protect and love them as Christ loves us. God is continuing to work in my heart and in my husband's heart regarding what he is calling us to do and how he wants us to live out our lives through the verse of James 1:27: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Needless to say, there were many tears shed as my heart broke for the lost, hurting children of this world. I could spend hours talking about this topic because it is something I am very compassionate about. I would encourage you to watch these video's if you have some time: 

This first video is a promotion of the book Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis but her thoughts are profoundly inspiring~

The next 2 videos are regarding adoption and great need for parents willing to fulfill the call of Christ to look after the orphans

My continued prayer is that God will not allow me to get complacent and content with my "American Dream" life and that he would continue to (as the song by Big Daddy Weave says) "break my heart until it moves my hands and feet, for the broken and the hopeless, for the ones that don't know You love them. Bring Your love to life inside of me!"

Meal Plan Monday

Monday:  meatball sandwiches and sweet potato fries

Tuesday:  Baked chicken with Dijon and lime 

Wednesday: Shrimp and veggie stir-fry with brown rice

Thursday: Tacos

Friday:  Dinner at my sis-in-laws house :)

Saturday: Baked Chicken Parmesan with broccoli and mashed potatoes

Sunday: Steaks on the grill with broccoli

I am looking forward to some nice weather and being able to start grilling out again! Happy meal planning! If you are looking for meal planning ideas head over here.