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such is life (cereal). (26)

I just polished off a box of Life cereal. No big deal, except that we bought it on Saturday afternoon, and it’s Monday night. And I’m pretty certain that Jason hasn’t touched it once. Now, before I go further, I feel compelled to state that it was normal sized box–not the jumbo version, and that I regularly consume cereal for my meals lately (in place of other items that sound terrible and give me heartburn). It’s also my go-to bedtime snack. That being said, imagine my surprise when I shook out the last few pieces into a bowl tonight–a mere two days after making the purchase and bringing it home.

As I sat down to eat my deliciously satisfying and (quite obviously) necessary bedtime bowl of Life, I couldn’t help but think how real life (not the cereal version) can be so much like this little episode I’d just experienced with the box and bowl and spoon. It’s easy to assume that things are just as you see them–the box is in the pantry, therefore it has cereal in it, and therefore, I can enjoy it tonight as normal. Instead, you realize that while you were planning to pour out a normal day or a normal situation, or while you assumed one thing all along, your reality is something altogether different. And it can sneak up on you a little bit like an empty cereal box, too. You figure no one else has had any cereal since you put the box away, or you presume that everything is as you perceive having left it, when really, there won’t be cereal enough for you to enjoy a bowl in the morning; and disappointment is frequently the result.

I think what I’m trying to say can be summed up by a question people ask all of the time…”You know what they say about assuming, right?” In my own terms, the retort goes something like, “It makes a ‘fool’ out of you and me.” You get the idea. I don’t love learning this lesson over and over when I think I’ve had ample opportunity to pick it up over the years, but the truth is that assuming and/or taking things for granted can be dangerous territory. It’s better to be sure about something, or to clarify so that you can be sure of something. In other words, it isn’t any fun to run out of your most recent favorite cereal because you just assumed there’d be more in the box.

I guess I’ve been nominated for another lesson tonight. Instead of just eating my bowl of cereal as I planned, I had to find some metaphor in it that would land me here. My grand conclusion? Things aren’t always as they seem. When I realize this about anything important in life, my strong desire is to figure out what things really look like on the inside of the box. And it’s the hardest thing in the world to wonder but not have the answers.

My cereal bowl is empty now, and the box is, too, but my mind is full up with things I need to pray about and ponder. I never imagined getting so much out of a $2 box of cereal.

Now what to do with the milk and the spoon?…

mm

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“whaddya say, preggo?” (29)

In honor of Jason’s birthday today, we went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants to celebrate. Without giving away our destination entirely, I’d describe the place as a “fine dining establishment” along the lakeshore in our hometown. It’s not somewhere we visit frequently, but in year’s past, I spent many a summer evening waiting tables there (and it’s been a go-to spot throughout our entire relationship–from our first date to the night we were engaged to birthdays and anniversaries). The view is lovely, the food, always impeccable, and most often, the service, personable and attentive.

Tonight, we enjoyed a delicious meal and naturally, each other’s company. Our server, however, quickly made himself worthy of a blog post–and contributed tremendously to my “list of things not to say to a pregnant woman.” I record this in jest (for the most part), and I have to laugh. People can be so funny when there’s a belly involved.

At first, he came to take our drink order and I picked something off of the “zero proof beverages” menu. This seems like an obvious choice for someone like me–my baby bump now drawing the attention of the greater population on most days. “Dave,” as we’ll call him, made some wise crack about me forgetting my ID and wondered why I wasn’t ordering an alcoholic beverage. The look on his face was priceless when I leaned back in my chair, gave the belly a pat and said, “I’m nearly to term. I’m thinking I’ll hold off for the night.” This didn’t bother me in the least, but I think it bothered Dave. He was already a bit awkward, and he only grew more so throughout dinner. At one point, he shared a story about “two chicks” he once served at another establishment, later used choice language at the table next to ours (he seemed to know them), and then, almost literally, put the icing on the cake.

After our dinner plates had been cleared, Dave came back to the table, dessert menus in hand, and without hesitation said to me (and I quote), “Whaddya say, preggo? Are we having dessert tonight?” Really? Seriously? First you didn’t notice that I was pregnant at all, and now you’re calling me “preggo” without hesitation? I can’t make this stuff up. Imagine my delight when I could say, “No, sir. I ordered a cake and it’s waiting for us at home.” Insert polite, fake smile. I was already excited about J’s cake and the rest of his birthday celebration, but this moment made it all the sweeter. Not to mention the fact that staying for dessert might have meant for more bizarre conversation, and let’s be honest, I’m a little too outspoken to have remained overly tactful for much longer. We paid the bill and made our way home, laughing about the oddity of our experience and chalking it up to another great, awkward pregnancy story to tell. At least dinner was delicious, and we had this fabulous cake (courtesy of Second Floor Bakery) waiting for us when we got back to the house:

outside, j's bmw. inside, chocolate truffle cake with strawberry filling 🙂

looks just like it! (but more edible)

3D side view mirror. sweet!

30 years. and many more, love. many, many more!

All joking aside, I’m so thankful that there’s so much to celebrate as Jason welcomes a new year. We’ve had a great day together, and now, we’re going to dive into birthday cake bliss with a side of milk, and a few more sweet moments of birthday to share.

preggo, zero proof and married to a classic,

mm

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dinner decisions. (35)

Last night, in “highly unmotivated mode,” I made macaroni and cheese from a box for dinner. Jason helped by slicing apples, and we sat down to a very ho-hum meal at 8pm. This isn’t exactly how I like to prepare food on most days, but it was an off night and I just didn’t want to try very hard. I know we’re both over it by now, and there’s good reason to keep a few boxes of Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese in the pantry, but still…

When time permits, I LOVE to be in the kitchen. I’m definitely more drawn to cooking than baking–probably because I like to be able to enjoy what I’ve just made, and a savory, inventive meal almost always appeals more to me than dessert. I do love the idea of baking Christmas cookies in season, making sweet treats for our kids and their friends when they’re older, etc. But for the most part, I prefer to go a little off-recipe at times, and baking just isn’t as conducive to that habit. Instead, I’m a fan of any sort of ethnic cuisine and love to go out on a limb every once in a while. Jason and I both like spicy food, so rich, bold flavor is something I’m always trying to get right.

Ironically, despite the joy that comes with preparing a well-rounded, flavorful meal, I am often at a loss for what to make–especially during a busy work week. I suspect this will change a bit when I have more time at home during the day; I just want to expand my repertoire beyond things like tacos, spaghetti, chili, breakfast for dinner, stir fry and chicken tikka masala. I also long for the days when the grill is back in session and I can prep kabobs or burgers or fruit to make for perfect summer meals out-of-doors. Between the backyard patio, the farmer’s market and my grill-master of a husband, our summer fare is just so much more enjoyable than my routine stove top, oven and crock pot recipes.

So, as I prepare to have a bit more time to focus in the kitchen, and as I seek to better round out my culinary skills, I’m just curious…what recipe(s) do you recommend? Which ones are your go-to menu items, and which do you save for company or more labor intensive kitchen prep? What meals do you suggest for a brand new mom who is juggling life in a different way than before? What is your favorite item in the International aisle at the grocery store?

Any and all suggestions are welcome. I’m excited to mix things up a bit around here–and to be able to think a little better outside of the (mac ‘n cheese) box.

ready to tie on the apron,

mm

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the list. (59)

With so many thoughts as of late about what is soon to come, I find myself making a mental checklist of what I hope life will include in the next few months and years. I’ve contemplated a “bucket list” for a long time, but now it seems as fitting as ever to finally put some of those intentions and aspirations to paper. I don’t want to miss a single opportunity to be the best mom and wife I’m able to be, but I also don’t want to lose pieces of myself (or my heart) in the transition to motherhood–and into what I know will be a very new and adaptation-filled segment of my life.

So I’m going to begin it here, today, with every expectation of adding to it and crossing a number of items off of it over the next five years. I don’t want to write a list that’s committed to the rest of my life, because in my head, that seems like a long time…and my priorities might change. In the meantime, this is where I’d like to start. It feels good to be getting it out. In no particular order:

1) Become a mom. (I know. This is an “easy ” one at this point. I feel like a mom already. But it’s been on my mental list, and it will be marvelous to check off. One of the greatest, most shaping experiences of my life, I’m certain.)

2) Give birth naturally. (Time will tell, and if I can’t for some reason, I’ll make my peace with it. 5 years gives me a few opportunities though, I suspect, and I’m really, really hopeful.)

3) Travel to Italy. Absolutely a must.

4) Write and publish a book. Also a must.

5) Organize every cabinet and drawer in our house, and be ruthless about getting rid of/donate what we no longer need.

6) Scrapbook/keep a baby book for each of our children.

7) See a musical on Broadway with Jason.

8) Take a mission trip as a family.

9) Journal regularly for a consistent period of time (not including the blog).

10) Hone my photography skills enough to be valuable.

11) Finalize my doula certification (hopefully Baby K’s birth will take care of this one!)

12) Assist the births of teen moms in the area who need support, and develop a local ministry.

13) Plant a successful and flourishing garden; build a compost.

14) Introduce each of our children to God’s creation through exploration, day trips, nature, prayer, conversation and exposure to new things daily.

15) Pray over/with our child/children every night.

16) Read something valuable as a daily routine.

17) Expand and further develop my blog.

18) Pay off my college loans. This is a HUGE one, but I know we’ll get there.

19) Cloth diaper. Successfully. 🙂

20) Return to Africa and/or India.

21) Take a gourmet cooking class.

22) Learn to make fondant and decorate a cake well.

23) Craft something worth selling.

24) Take sewing lessons from my mom; procure a sewing machine.

25) Visit with family as often as possible.

26) Host a Thanksgiving in our home for people who have nowhere else to celebrate.

27) Own an iPad. 🙂

28) Further develop my freelance portfolio.

29) Finish designing a baby nursery.

30) Watch 20 of the top 100 classic films of all time.

31) Read through the entire Bible.

32) Go on a cruise with Jason to somewhere warm and tropical.

33) Regularly support a missionary family.

34) Train for and successfully complete two more 1/2 marathons.

I am currently 28, but my 29th birthday will be here shortly after Baby K is born, which means that in 5 years I’ll be 34. So I’m starting this list with 34 items in honor of my 34th birthday and the personal goal I’m setting to accomplish each of these things in the next five years. I’ll probably keep adding to the list at random, but for now, this feels like a great start. And if some things don’t pan out, other things will…I’m just feeling ambitious and hopeful and glad to have more of this written down than I did before. Want to create a 5 year bucket list with me? Let’s inspire each other.

delighted by possibility,

mm

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on love and royalty. (75)

It’s Valentine’s Day, and that means a few things, but first and foremost it means a night out with two of my greatest loves, Jason and the babe. We’re headed up to the Princess Diana exhibit at the GRAM, followed by dinner at Bombay Cuisine (since I couldn’t travel to India this time around, why not at least enjoy some of its finest fare locally, right?) Jason gets major points for suggesting the Diana exhibit, because I’ve wanted to go for a long time and it leaves town in two short days. I’m really looking forward to an evening out–especially one filled with such good things!

I’m not certain how I feel about Valentine’s Day landing on a Monday in general, but I’m definitely a fan of an unordinary date night. I’ve been delighted to have this waiting for me all day.

Where love is concerned, I have plenty to say about it 🙂 Surprised? I won’t expound much here, because it’s almost time to leave for dinner, but what I will say is that my life feels so full of love these days it’s nearly bursting. I’ve never loved our little family more than I do today, and I’m overwhelmed to know that love will only continue to grow and flourish here as we look towards Spring and our new addition.

And royalty? Well, Princess Diana takes care of that one. I’ve always been a little enamored by her life and story, her elegance and beauty, and the history of the royal family in general. I’m really looking forward to learning more tonight as we view the exhibit, and grateful that Jason was willing to be the catalyst for our visit.

Whether you’re celebrating with a quiet evening at home or a night on the town…or even if you aren’t much one for the holiday, I hope you’re feeling both loved and royal today. Because you are, indeed.

spicing things up on Valentine’s Day (the curry, of course!),

mm