"O, Death, Where is Your Victory?"

Happy Easter...a few weeks late!!  As per usual....we had a wonderful time celebrating Christ's victory over death...even if the actual day was just one of those days where we switched our kids in the parking lot of work. ;)  I was blessed to finagle my work schedule Friday evening so I could run over and attend the Good Friday service with my hubby!  Praise the Lord for great co-workers!!

I won't do much writing (your'e welcome) but I do have some fun pictures to share! We had a big Easter party with our small group...

...had our friend Taylor over to color eggs...

...Had a lovely time getting dressed up for both Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday...

...and had the pleasure of having Aaron, Kel & Cora here just days after Easter!  So of course we had to have an Easter egg hunt!

We celebrate because God gave us LIFE through the DEATH of HIS SON.  When I think about willfully giving up one of my children to be tortured, humiliated & hung on a cross to die...I...I....have no words.  Christ showed us the ultimate sacrifice and the most powerful LOVE there is...so that we could have eternal LIFE.  End of story.

"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things" {January, February & March}

In 2014 I set out to do a photo journal, and was so pleased with it's results that I contemplated how I could capture something similar for 2015.  My goal through the years is to remember our day-to-day life; I just think looking back years from now that I'll want to know what that looked like.  So these are some of my favorite moments in time from our daily ins and outs for the past few months.  I figured I could manage this on a quarterly basis (I originally thought I'd do it monthly but mid-February came around and I knew that ship had sailed!).

Precious Moments

Carly: The most precious moment from this quarter came early in January, right after I had gotten eye surgery.  The kids had been troupers going to follow-up appointments with me and to reward Carly I told her we would stop for a treat.  Being it was before 11AM, ice cream wasn't an option, so I pulled into Planet Smoothie.  We ordered a generic banana/strawberry mix and went on our way.  Carly took one drink and said, "I don't yike it, mommy."  I was heart broken.  Visibly.  Here she had been SO gracious as I was recovering and not even three yet and the treat I had gotten just for her she spit out.  I apologized over and over again and she gave me a hug and said, "It's okay, mama, accidents happen!"  Heart melted.

Luke:  By March Luke was finally willing to sit through us reading to him.  He will grab a book and bring it to us. His favorite is one of lots of young faces, and happens to have a mirror on the final page.  One read through he began giving kisses to all the faces, and of course to himself in the mirror. I told him how sweet that was to be giving kisses and he turned, looked up at me and plopped a wet one right on my lips.  After our smooch he gave me a big grin and asked to read the book again.  It feels so good to be loved.

Healthful Living

I've been on a pretty strict diet for 6 months now; in part to lose weight but also to feel good day in and day out.  I've been trying tons of new smoothie recipes and have been replacing 2 meals/day with nutrient-packed frozen goodness.  I feel really good.  However--it means I haven't been super adventurous in trying new dinner recipes; something I had originally thought I'd write about in this segment.  One thing I've been trying to focus on is getting the kids some variety in breakfast/snacking that is still healthy.  I found this highly dense banana "cake" and they really enjoyed that.  It served as a really filling breakfast that could also be on-the-go.  It was NOT good enough to be something I would serve to Guests in my home, but this recipe also squeezes 5 bananas in an 8X8 pan; so it's not a treat: it's a breakfast meal replacement.

Breakfast Banana Cake
Wet Ingredients
1 tbsp ground flax (+) 3 tbsp water--let soak for a few minutes
5 medium ripe bananas (mashed)
1/4 C maple syrup
1/4 C coconut oil (I didn't have this on hand so used olive oil, instead...coconut oil would be way better)
1/3 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
Dry Ingredients
1 1/2 C quick oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 C whole wheat flour
Preheat oven to 360 and prepare like you would any baked item and stick in your oven for 20 minutes (ish)

I also thought I would share my favorite smoothie recipe!!

Chocolate Kale Smoothie
1 1/2 cups of packed frozen kale (I buy a fresh big bag of raw kale & plop it right in the freezer)
1 frozen banana
2 tbsp cacao powder (you could use cocoa powder but I use cacao as it is organic & has no added sugar)
2 tbsp chocolate chips (or cacao chips if you want to spend a lot of money on a bag of chocolate)
1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
1 C almond milk (or of course just use regular milk)

This is such a healthy way to get your serving of kale for the day but feel like you just had chocolate ice cream! Well...that's how I feel, anyway!! ;)

Places & Spaces

The kids have really enjoyed playing in their sandbox.  This is something I purchased for $5 at a garage sale that was filled with super soft sand by Grandpa.  This has been part of our daily life for 6 weeks now and I think I've mopped and vacuumed more sand off our floors than ever before! But of course that is just fine.

Carly loves her play doh. Just loves it.  She talks about it all the time and plays with it everyday.  It's home was located on the kitchen table for months before I just couldn't stand looking at it another day.  I cleared out a space for her in the closet under the stairs, laid down some tarp, got a little table and she ADORES her new space.  She can keep it hidden from the play-doh eater in the home and she can escape to have quiet time; which she has proven over and over again she desperately needs each day.  She dresses her princesses in play doh, makes cookies and is sometimes MIA in her closet for a half hour at a time.

And finally, the place Carly asks to go most is Puggles.  She loves her friends there and really enjoys that Brian & I are her teachers.  She really does talk about going to Puggles every single day.

Growing Minds

I've seen a lot of great activities to do with kids on Pinterest, so this segment was designed to share the things we've tried out and our official rating.  Because the kids have been so busy playing with sand and play doh, I haven't had to turn to creative ideas all that often the past few months; so instead I suppose I will highlight what Carly & I have been working on during Luke's naps: puzzles & games.  Although the matching game, go fish, and doing puzzles on her own are a bit challenging, she does a great job when we do them together and I can coach her through them. So we spend a good amount of time on the floor working together.  Sorry, that's not super exciting....hopefully we will try more adventurous activities over the next few months! If you have any raving fan activities for 3 year olds--send them my way! :)

"To Be Here With the Ones Who Love Me"

March 2015 marked our 3rd annual March Madness trip to Iowa since moving to Florida!  We introduced Carly to family when she was 6 weeks old, Luke at 2 months and recently returned from another March vacay to the Corn, Beef & Pork state...(?). ;)

Although we love our Florida family, nothing compares to thee established relationships we cherish in Iowa.  My college girl friends are really some of the people I love most in this world and I am thankful they continue to love me despite being so far away.  Our children also have 6 of their 7 grandparents residing in Iowa and one Uncle, one Aunt and one Cousin.  Fortunately, Trey was visiting from Colorado at the time of our trip & Tiff came from Minnesota for the weekend...so most of their family was represented.  Truthfully, I didn't spend a ton of time with my kiddos (particularly Carly) as they prefer hanging with their very fun grandparents, so I don't have a ton to share about them...other than they played, played, played, spent time being sick, played, played, didn't sleep, ate a little bit, played and enjoyed playing.  Brian was also a rather boring companion as he sat in his Dad's recliner watching basketball the first few days & headed back to Florida early as he is a faithful provider for our family. SO!  This meant I got to do essentially whatever I wanted.  I ran in the freezing cold every single morning, took a shower at my leisure and spent much desired time having my soul filled with encouragement by dear friends.  Here is my top 10 list from our Iowa trip (in no particular order).

1. Carley-time

I got to see Carley 4-5 of the 8 days were in Iowa! I really needed some time with this friend and she is one of my absolute favorite people to engage in conversation with.  Really, she may be the best thought partner I have. Our life stage is quite similar & our core values line up nicely, which allows for productive encouragement. We also enjoy over-analyzing most things and appreciate self-reflection.  Our boys are 10 weeks a part and we do hope someday they will be good playmates.  

I really do want twins. Completely serious.

My favorite day with her was probably the day when all the kiddos were sleeping and we got to sit on her porch drinking tea.  It's not often mama's have the luxury of doing that.

2. Dinner with Lindsay

Typically, Linds & I try to coordinate a time when we can get our 5 kiddos together.  It's always a joy to see them play, but this time we decided to take time to spend just the two of us. We met for dinner at HuHot & enjoyed conversing about all things marriage & babies.  After all, that's what life is made up of these days.  She's open & honest, asks good questions and is willing to share her joys & frustrations. We could have talked all night.

3. An evening with my college small group

Stacy, Jodi, Jen, Libby, Lindsey, Meg & Abby were a colossal part of helping me knit my thoughts and actions about marriage together while in college.  Each living a spirit-filled life, these ladies were a huge encouragement to me; particularly while I was dating Brian.  I find that each time I have the opportunity to sit down with this group of ladies (5 of the 8 of us were able to meet) I leave feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.  It was such a good 3 hours.

4. Coffee with Renee

Renee has been one of my longest-standing friendships and I make sure to see her every time I am in Iowa.  Kind, sensitive & thoughtful, my relationship with Renee holds many dear memories. Her & I actually had coffee at The Cafe one morning.

5. Sibling Coffee

My siblings & I have been in different life stages and different states our entire adult life; so getting together is SUCH A HIGHLIGHT OF LIFE.  I love them both so dearly and appreciate hearing about who they are becoming with each passing year.  My parents see the benefit in giving the sibs time alone, so they encouraged the four of us to head for coffee one afternoon.  I don't think Brian, Trey, Tiff & I have spent much time just the four of us.  It was really nice to hide in the back of Cafe Diem and enjoy one another's company for a few hours.

Me making fun of Tiff bc she said my hands didn't look cute in the first pic and we needed a re-do.  This good enough, Tiff? ;)

6. Running with Trey

Trey & I had some really meaningful chats during our morning runs.  He is learning so much in his journey of getting his Masters in Counseling and also working as a youth director for a mega-church in Denver. I've known he was a good guy for years, but hearing what's on his heart was so refreshing for me.

7. Nathan's Birthday

We celebrated Nathan's 29th birthday at The Cheesecake Factory!  Besides this restaurant being one of the best ever created, it was really special to spend time with Brian's family.  I loved hearing about Nathan & Angel's day-to-day and seeing sweet baby Jackson.  Nathan affectionately said he was excited to finish out his twenties and head into his thirties because he had everything he wanted. What a neat perspective.  I MISSED HAVING KELLY and Aaron and Cora this Iowa trip but it made it MUCH easier knowing they were only a few short weeks away from being with us in FLA!

8. Dinner with Grandma & Trey 

We had these big plans to drop the kiddos off at Brian's folks one evening (after Brian had returned home) so I could have an adult dinner with my family. It was the perfect plan.  One more evening for Luke & Carly to spend with G&G and a relaxing out-to-dinner-experience for me.  However, a high fever and two very needy, sleepy children changed all that.  Carly recorded her highest fever yet, at 103 degrees and Luke was in his final stretch of "please get me back to Florida" attitude. Well...both kiddos went down for the night so my parents told Trey & I to meet my Grandma at Hickory park for a late dinner.  WHAT A BLESSING! My parents are such servants.  This was one of the most meaningful two hours I had while in Iowa.  We laughed, cried, shared hopes & dreams, encouragement, confessions...my Grandma's wisdom dives much deeper than most and she always teaches me something when we are together.  Goodness, so blessed!

And actually...since I'm on the topic of my Grandma...we had a brilliant day of "all-you-can-eat nachos & basketball" at Mimi's place.  So maybe number 8 should just be Mimi in general. ;)

The oldest & youngest members of the Stubbs clan

9. Lounge time at the Weiss residence

It is so easy being at Brian's folks' house.  Rhonda prepares the most elaborate dinners and always has snacks I just can't resist!  They have a basement full of toys and the kids spend most of their time playing down there.  I have very little parenting responsibility while there.  I love my kids, but I'll be the first to admit it's a nice change of pace when I get to sit on the couch in peace. ;)  They also made it possible for me to gallivant around the town getting my heart renewed. The other super fun thing about the Weiss household are the many Cyclone fans there.  Even though we are still trying to forget the events of that first tournament game...we had fun preparing...

10. Ma & Pa

My Mom is the ultimate care giver & my Dad has enough energy to live well into his hundreds. ;)  From the moment I walk into their house, my mom takes care of all my laundry, all the food prep & clean-up, changing of diapers, bathing the kiddos, etc, etc.  My Dad takes care of feeding them candy and getting them completely wound up.  Together they balance one another out.  I have been beyond blessed to see them nearly every 6 weeks for the past few years and if they weren't so willing to visit us in Florida on a regular basis we would probably live in Iowa.  Oops...did I just say that out loud?! Please don't stop coming to see us in order to force us North! ;)  But, because I do get good quality time with them often, they were gracious about letting me spend quality time with my siblings; who I only see a few times/year.  We did have some really great convos around the dinner table, and spent time playing cards.  It's always quite stressful for me when Brian leaves and of course my kids decide to have the worst nights of the trips when he's gone.  With Carly being sick, she wet her bed a few times, was up a lot in the night and needed medicine on a regular basis and of course Luke was so fed up with traveling he REFUSED to sleep on his own.  I just couldn't do it.  I gave C's monitor to my folks & would grin when I heard her yelling and one of my parents RUNNING down the stairs to aid to her call.  Every time Brian leaves us early I say it's not worth it and I wont do it again....but every time we evaluate what our time will look like, the extra few days with family are always worth it.