wordless thursday

Maggie-isms

It's been awhile since I posted some of Maggie's observations/sayings. Here are a few as of late:

After observing her friend Asher go "number 2" in the bathroom, she thoughtfully mused: "It kinda looks like a little bacon!" Dawnielle (his mom) and I about died laughing.

"I whistled through my nose!"

After I nursed Curren one morning on one side, he was still fussy, and she patted my other side and said, "I think he wants the other one."

I was editing some video on my phone and said I had to trim it and Maggie mused aloud, "With a knife?"

She is imaginative, creative, and loves all things play-related. While we read books, she loves to "jump" into the picture and have conversations with the characters (i.e. we do the voices and she talks with us). It's such a hilarious concept that she started all on her own about 5 months ago. Around the same time, she started wanting us to be the voices to her dolls and toys (and yes, even inanimate objects) and talk to her about all sorts of things. Honestly, I don't relish this first thing in the morning, as I'm getting my coffee and just trying to gear-up for the day ("Dora, will you talk to me?" "Evangeline, will you talk to me?"), but I try to indulge her when I can. She's so funny! I love my sweet girl.

A perfect day

Yesterday, I had a perfect day. I was up at 5:30am to spend time in the Word/pray/journal and did this for 1 1/2 hours, which is highly unusual! It was very, very refreshing; I'm just getting back into a routine of starting my day in God's Word because for me, mornings are ideal: my heart is quiet, the busyness and choas of the day have yet to envelop me, and truthfully, this is giving God my first/my best before I begin my routine. I drank 2 cups of coffee uninterrupted and even scanne the newspaper later. Maggie slept until 8:30am, another highly unusual event (though it seems that adding darkening shades to her room have curtailed the 6am wake-up time) and I woke Curren up at 8am to eat. We enjoyed breakfast together and played with Curren. Then, we went for a walk, my exercise of choice these days. I talked with my grandparents and sister. During C's morning nap, Maggie and I did our school time and it was exciting to see her sounding out some words with me. Then, she went to her room for "room time" and I showered and got ready. After C woke up, we headed out for errands, checking things off my "to-do" list, getting some grocerries and going to the library. Afternoon naps provided a time for me to lay down for a bit, and get a few other things accomplished (though I should note here that I totally got frustrated with Maggie when she wouldn't go down right away and had to apologize). I made dinner (super yummy pulled chicken sandwiches from Cooking Light), Aron played with the kiddos and we put them to bed, the house was orgazined and picked up. We spent some time with his family, then hopped in the car for some leisurely driving and reading of the last Harry Potter book (I read aloud to Aron and love it!). We were in bed around 10:30pm. And to top off the day, I didn't eat any refined sugars (I'm trying to get off them and only eat them in moderation...many of you can relate, I know).

Here's my point: I love days like this, BUT they are few and far between. Days that you feel entirely productive and connected, days you've checked it all off your "to-do" list, days that you feel like "super mom." And YET I spend so many days trying to achieve this state of productivity and connectedness...only to have my patience tested, my plans changed, and in general, my mind/body/spirit exhausted. I think the reminders for me yesterday were these: Enjoy the journey God has for me, have grace for myself when days are not like this, adjust expectations daily, and relish the days that are "perfect."

"He leads me besides quiet waters, He restores my soul." Ps. 23:2b-3a

the nolls come to visit

My good friend from college days came to visit tonight. Karissa and I met at Hope International University back in 2000 and became close friends. We've stayed connected since graduation in '03, but it's been nearly 5 years since I've seen her. Since that time, she's gotten married and had 3 kiddos. Elijah turned 3 yesterday and the twin girls, Hannah and Alysah, are 10 months old. Her hubby, Chris, is in the military, and they spent several years in England and in the Azores (off the coast of Portugal). They are now back in the U.S., living in NorCal. It was SOOO fun to see her, reconnect, and let the kiddos play together (Elijah and Maggie were fast friends), and the hubbies connect. Although the house was quite chaotic at times, we had a really good night. Thanks for taking the time to come see us, Chris and Karissa! Hopefully, it won't be 5 more years until our next get together.

little mama

I had a goal this summer to do weekly cooking with Maggie. We've only done it once, though. :) We made yummy, healthy homemade granola bars and had much fun doing it!

My good friend Lindsey made Maggie and I matching aprons! I LOVE them.

wordless wednesdays are back!

Here are snapshots of our first ferris wheel ride at the Spectrum:

first food @ 6 months

mckay kiddos

the kiddos

A few pics for your viewing pleasure:

stuffed burgers for summer grillin'--MAKE THESE!

Over the last few years, I've developed an increased interest/love for cooking. It's very much something I enjoy and I have several friends to thank for their continued inspiration--Kathryn, Laurie, Tina, Shelley, Molly, Bethany. If your name isn't listed, don't be offended. It doesn't mean you aren't a good cook, just that we don't talk too often about it. :)

Thanks to Molly and Clayton, friends from seminary in Dallas, I have gained a newfound reading pleasure, Cooks Illustrated. It's an amazingly simple magazine that is published by America's Test Kitchen experts. Chefs takes recipes and perfect them, and then publish their findings. Also, kitchen equipment is rated and tested and tricks of the trade are discussed.

Tonight, we cooked "Stuffed Burgers" out of the summer entertaining issue (I can't find a picture online) and you must make these! Basically, most of the fixins' are put into the meat and grilled. The result is a flavorful and juicy burger. This recipe is so easy and so tasty.

Charcoal-Grilled Stuffed Burgers (serves 4)

1 1/2 pounds 85 percent lean ground chuck (*Do not deviate from this!*)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 slices cooked bacon, chopped fine
4 tsp. yellow mustard
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
4 hamburger buns, toasted (they recommend Pepperidge Farm Premium Bakery Rolls)

Prepare your outdoors grill. Mix all above ingredients together, than form 4 equal portioned patties, about 1-inch thick. Grill burgers on hot side of grill, uncovered, until well seared on first side, 2-4 minutes. Flip burgers and grill about 4 minutes on other side. Serve on toasted buns with lettuce and tomato.

There are a couple other variations--Ranch Burgers, Tex-Mex Burgers, and Italian Burgers--if you are interested email me.

The art of listening