teriyaki chicken kabobs

It's here, friends. That time of year.
The most wonderful time of the year, if you ask me. And if you ask these guys...

Seeds buried into the ground sprouting all sorts of new life, including...

GRASS!

Fresh-picked herbs in everything.
Iced thai coconut tea (with fresh-picked mint, of course).

Cheering from the sidelines.

I'm asked "can we go fishing?" everyday. several times. And we fish, lots.

Field trips!

2 more days of school!!! 

Bucket lists of fun to be had.

Planning and assigning new chore charts... in hopes that summer is enough time to become habit?

Trying new summertime recipes, like cobb salad and pineapple sorbet. 
Kabobs. Kabobs. and more Kabobs.

Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs with Peanut Dipping Sauce
This recipe has been tweaked so many times, depending on what we have. It's too good not to share...
Marinade for chicken:
1/4 cup soy sauce {I use GF tamari sauce}
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey {or sucanat or brown sugar}
1/4 cup cilantro
4 scallions
2 cloves garlic
juice of 1/2 lime
1 T. asian chili sauce {optional, but we use sriracha}
Combine above ingredients in blender. Mix well. Cut chicken into chunks for skewers and marinate in the above overnight, or atleast 4 hours.
~ Soak skewers, if using wood ones.
~ Alternate marinated chicken with vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, onions, peppers, cherry tomatoes, etc...
~ If you're having a big gathering, keep it simple. Pre-cut up the veggies, marinate the chicken, fire up the grill and people can assemble their own!
~ Don't forget the Peanut Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 T. soy sauce {or GF tamari sauce}
1 T. honey or sucanat or brown sugar
juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 T. asian chili sauce {optional, but we use sriracha}
2 T. hot water
Whisk peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, cilantro, chili sauce, and hot water in large mixing bowl until smooth. Adjust to taste, adding  more hot water if too thick.
~ Enjoy!

I was reminded this week how unpredictable and fragile this life truly is. As alarming and uncomfortable as those lessons can be, it reminds me {again} that today is a gift. 

School's almost out, I'm gonna have these 3 stooges 24/7, and my internal pep rally is starting. Summertime, we will we will rock you! As crazy as a day may turn out, I am so determined not to let this time slip by. We fling our windows and our arms wide open, embracing this time together.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. 

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. 

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. 

Kahlil Gibran

overcome

We were in Ikea a year ago. I was waiting for the receipt of $10 worth of 59 cent mugs and napkins. The aroma of warm cinnamon rolls wafted over to me. We were all hungry - it was 1 o’clock, and we were an hour away from our favorite restaurant, where we planned to eat lunch. So, Andy bought the boys and himself a hot dog.  I searched the place for something gluten-free, and found nothin’. I remembered some carrots in the car, but a hot dog never looked so good and that smell of cinnamon rolls seemed just wrong. We were walking out the door, when the words escaped my heart through my lips. 

It’s not fair.

I don’t say that much, and regretted it as fast as it came out. But it was too late. The poison in my heart spewed from my lips. Then I saw it, the image that is still seared into my memory. And, I hope it is as long as I live. As soon as I said those 3 venomous words, we came to a halt, waiting on the lady in front of us. Her legs were crippled - Polio? Diseased? Every muscle in her body straining to walk. 
Straining. 
To. 
Walk. 
The boys take their hot dog from their mouths to watch. Those words still echo in my mind, and I am filled with regret, shame, tears. 

Who am I to complain? Were we on our way to eat lunch, with carrots in the car to tie me over? Was I walking out the door with no pain, no struggle? Did we have money to buy our boys a meal when their tummies were growling? And even if not, could I then complain? 
Or, are those exactly the words the enemy wants us to say, to fuel a spirit of defeat, discontent, ingratitude. Life is not fair. It’s a fact. We have all seen people who deserve so much more, suffer through heartache, pain, loss. We have felt it. 

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.  

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  

But take heart, because I have overcome the world. 

~ Jesus, John 16.33

Jesus *knew* not fair.  He knew we would have many trials and sorrows, because He did so Himself.  And yet, He overcame every trial, temptation, even death itself! 

I don’t know what life is like from your end of the computer screen, what discontentment brews in your heart that makes you wanna scream It’s not fair! One quote that has come to mind often over the last 9 years:

 God never wastes pain.

~ Jerry Bridges  

We may never know the reason for a trial until that glorious day when we stand before the One who has promised to wipe away every tear from our eyes. I have to wonder if sometimes the purpose is simply for us to long for that day. When there will be no more hurt, no more sorrow or disease or hunger or wrong or suffering. Jesus warned this life would be like childbirth. We don't go into childbirth expecting no pain, everything to go as planned. 
But, it's not in vain. God never wastes pain. 

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

~ Jesus, John 16.21-24

This morning I was packing up my gluten-free muffin to take with me and the boys to Muffins for Moms at their school. They noticed and said "I wish you could just eat a regular muffin. It's not fair you have to bring your own." Those words tempt, but I picture that lady straining to walk, or the children who woke up this morning with hungry tummies and bare cupboards, or the boys who eat a muffin with their mom's body in the grave. And, it doesn't seem fair. BUT...He has overcome! And we can too. I tell them it's not about the muffin, that I'm just thankful to be with them, and He fills with joy. 

Joy isn’t grounded in our circumstances; 

it is grounded in the unchanging character of God.
~ C.C. James

Take heart, friends. He has overcome! 
We are so very blessed...

nine years.

Nine years and five days ago, I met one of my favorite people in this whole round world. His name is Miles. I am honored to be his mama, to discover with him how to live this life and respond to this world.
I've been strolling down memory lane, thinking over the past 9 years. How one tiny bundle could find his way into my heart expanding it bigger than I knew possible. How one little guy who couldn't talk would teach us so much. About all we've been through, and how many times he has looked at us with trust in his eyes. I have to wonder where the time has gone, and try not to think how old he will be in another 9 years! I have some growing up to do, learning how to love and nurture, but not over-parent. How and when to let go, and when is okay to hold tight. I'm so thankful we don't have to know all the answers. We know the One who continues to meet and carry us when we realize we can not do this on our own. 

Let us cling to Him (Jesus) and never stop trusting Him.

~ Hebrews 4.14b {NLT}

 






The below pic is one of my faves. He told me "I noticed the flowers and was thanking God for them."



Dear Miles, I always hope you pause to notice His wonderful creation, that you never cease to be amazed by the Creator and His boundless love for you. 
I pray His delight in you would be the loudest voice you ever hear.
We thank Him everyday for how He has so intricately crafted you. 
For your tender heart, beautiful mind, precious soul. 
You are so very loved, Miles!

 "We're having a staring contest. He's gonna win." he says :)

his birthday dinner of choice: brazilian rice and beans and pão de queijo

 

All to celebrate you! 

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

~ Zephaniah 3.17 {NIV}