Burgers, Eyebrows, and New Books

Tim and I just stumbled onto a new island discovery! I have no idea what took us so long to try out Teddy's Bigger Burgers, but you have to go!

They are all across Oahu and the islands. I assumed they were just another greasy burger dive (which, I realize has it's place for some ;)). But they are soooo not! It's more of a cross between In & Out and Five Guys (for you Mainland folk). Think fresh, local, and natural.

It's an order at the counter, dine-in place with a 50s surfer vibe. The staff was uber friendly and they made our whopping, natural burgers to order while we sat. It may be a few bucks more than a Big Mac, but still cheaper (and waaay better) than a burger at Chili's.

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Oh, and it made me happy to see they are breaking into the Pacific Northwest scene with Teddy's to open in WA & OR.

Okay, enough about my latest burger (can you tell what I've been craving?). If you try it out and don't love it as much as I did, you can blame my pregnancy senses! Here is Blakely's newest "trick" that kept Tim and I chuckling while we waited for our lunch.

She may be charming most of the time, but she also has some pretty trying moments. In fact, my Amazon order came today! Guess what books I got?

Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood (by Jim and Charles Fay)
Making Children Mind without Losing Yours (by Kevin Leman)
Dare to Discipline (by James Dobson)
The Toddler's Busy Book (by Trish Kuffner)

Can you tell what I need to read up on? Yup! She's two in exactly two months. Here we go... :)

{good thing no melt down could make me love her any less...I am stinkin' proud of my little one}

Mark Well Your Path

One week ago today I heard a message that really hit home. I was at the Arise women's conference at my church. The speaker--Holly Wagner. I hadn't heard her before, but I'm a huge fan now.

I'm so glad I was at church for that conference, but to be honest with you, that was my second choice place to be. Only because I had wanted to catch a last minute flight to Portland to be at a celebration of life service for a dear friend.

I couldn't make the memorial, but my heart and mind stayed with this beloved family enduring a difficult loss.

As I type this, tears sting my eyes. I'm so angry that cancer is such a thief. I know with my whole heart that God remains God--He is faithful. He did not cause the cancer. But, still I hate cancer. I really do. And I know I'm not alone.

As terrifying and terrible as cancer is, God works in the midst. He's a living, good God. I know He sometimes chooses to heal our earthly bodies and other times he chooses to bring us home. But here's the thing...here's what inspired me last weekend...

We are all on this journey--our challenges may look different and our storms may vary, but God puts us on a path--just for us--and He wants us to mark it well.

Jeremiah 31:21 "Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Mark well the path by which you came."

Holly reminded us: people are watching. There's a generation behind us that will follow our paths. We also have friends, co-workers, neighbors -- watching how we walk.

It does matter how we respond to God and others in the midst of our trials. Oh, don't get me wrong, God's grace abounds when we slip off our path or forget to place a marker. So often, that's me! Thank God for His mercies. I'm also not suggesting we wrap up our signs with bows and glitter. We should be real. genuine. Even messy at times. But, I was reminded of this amazing opportunity to give the glory to God even when our hearts are broken. How loudly that speaks to those following our paths. How well we can mark the way.

You see, I haven't lost my husband. He's still living on this earth with me. But, my very dear friend did lose her husband. In the midst of her great heartache, she continues to mark her path. She continues to give praise to God. She is not letting her faith waver. And people see God's faithfulness on her path.

I'm so proud of this family, whom I love. And this man who was lost on earth is alive and well right now...in heaven. He also marked his path incredibly well. He lived out his life priorities in this order: God, family, ministry.

I can just picture Jesus welcoming him home: "Well done, my good and faithful son." -Matthew 25:21

My friends, I leave you with this last scripture that is on my heart (thank you to Holly Wagner for sharing this in her message). Paul, from the New Testament, who knows hardship like nobody's business, writes:

"In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind...we faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us...we serve God whether people honor us or despise us...our hearts ache, but we always have joy." --2 Corinthians 3-10

Love to you!

Worth Remembering {MLK Jr}

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!


And I mean it! We get to celebrate a man who was first and foremost committed to God and also extremely passionate about the people in our nation--people of all color. He said (and I paraphrase) that he wanted freedom for black people and freedom of mind for white people. Thank God! 


Before he was murdered, MLK Jr. knew his time on earth was drawing to a close. But, he knew he had a greater purpose. In his final sermon, he preached...


"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now...I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!”


Of course, he didn't know the very next day would be his last. He was just 39. But, wow, what a legacy. What a life lived with purpose. What a life abandoned to God. 


I'm proud that my country celebrates men and women like MLK Jr. We may not ever be all the way "there" with discrimination, but with bold and courageous people, we will always strive forward. 


My prayer today for this girl and my next, is that they will always be judged on the contents of their hearts. I pray they will be both love and light in our world. I pray they are bold and courageous when it comes to standing up for what is right.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -MLK Jr.


If you have a chance, I found this gem of a documentary on Netflix streaming: Soundtrack for a Revolution. It's all about MLK Jr. and the Civil Rights movement.


If you do stream on Netflix, click here. Enjoy! 

3 New, 1 Old

Discoveries!

1. Have you seen this video yet? It's a spoken word poem. From what I can gather, the performer in the video is the guy who wrote the poem. Now I'm not knockin' the term religion. Ultimately, it's just a word. I don't have a problem with it. But, it's how we define it or how it defines us that matters. If you ask me if I'm religious, I'd say sure. If you ask me if I'm a Christian, I'd say sure am. But more than either or those two labels, I'm just a girl in love with the God who created her and believes the son of that God died so she could live. Check this out...



2. If you're a mom or you like stories about kids...check out my newest fave blog read. She's very funny and doesn't hold much back. ;) Her posts are quick and entertaining.

Five Kids is a lot of Kids

3. Trying to sneak more veggies into your day? I promise you...you must try Jamba Juice's new fruit & veggie smoothies. I'm a huge fan of Apples 'n Greens. You'll read the menu and question the likes of kale, spinach, green bell pepper, carrots, and spirulina (a type of algae). But, BUT, it tastes and looks so much like apple and is incredibly refreshing and nutritious. Just 220 calories in a 16 oz and 3 servings of fruits and veggies! :) I usually ask for a power size and request for a small kids cup to be filled from my portion for Blakes. She digs it.

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4. This is an old discovery...but the old ones are the sweet ones. 15 years ago--at just the right moment--God brought me this friend. We haven't missed a beat since. Happy 31st birthday today, Yasi! p.s. -- for more on Yasmin's incredible talent and work click here. :)

A Few Silly Tears

I cried.

A couple times.

Not the break-down sobs. Although I do that too, on occasion.

But just tears. Watery eyes. Sniffles. You know...

I'll share my less warranted tears...because, well, there's a chance you can feel my silliness. Maybe you can even relate... ;) Or...maybe not.

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*Sitting at a Blues Club (Buddy Guy's Legends) in Chicago. The server taps the wine menu in front of me and demands my drink of choice. I gladly say water, but surprisingly fight back a tear or two. The server abruptly leaves and I sink into a funk. Just because. I can feel myself going. I try to metaphorically wave my arms for help. My mood drops. Tim reaches over to ask me what's wrong. How should I know? I'm on an incredible two-week long date with my love and sitting in one of the best known Blues clubs listening to captivating live music and munching on my jambalaya. Nothing is wrong. I truly am happy with my ice cold water and my life. Really...it doesn't get much better. Of course, as my hormones would have it, Tim's concerned look is just enough to open the flood gates. I'm quickly a mess...a couple tears, runny nose, red eyes. I leave to collect myself. Upon my return to the table, the server comes back around to see if I've changed my mind about that drink. I politely (holding back tears) ask if she can bring me a cup of coffee or hot tea. Unsympathetically (at least in my mind), my server retorts, "no." And leaves. Ouch! I spiral again. No tea? No coffee? How is that possible? A few more tears. I venture, again, to the ladies' room. I just can't get it together. And...I don't know why!!! Well, other than the new cocktail of pregnancy hormones, missing my daughter, the lack of coffee, and well... I'm stumped. I blame hormones. I felt so unlike myself that night. So not-in-control of my emotions. And...slightly embarrassed. Good thing the room was dark, the music was loud, and I didn't know a soul besides my hubby--who was graciously understanding.

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*It was Veteran's Day weekend...a month or so after returning from Chicago and NY. I was thrilled with the developing life of baby #2. As easily as the laughter came, so did the tears. Church that weekend was especially powerful as we honored veterans--both present and not. When the slide show cued and the live rendition of I'm Proud to be an American was belted out, I lost the fight with the tear drops that had been gathering in my eye lids. Pregnant or not, my eyes would probably water, but I usually have pretty good restraint. You know what song I'm talking about, right? It always gets me. In a very good way. But, this year, this time, my eyes let a few drops escape from their holding place! It's okay though, my church is big and no one was looking at me. I collected myself. ;) While I'm always patriotic, I think the baby hormones make me super-patriotic! So many emotions!

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*Okay...my last silly run-in with extra tears. Last month, I took my chance to have Tim watch B and I stole Tim's mom away for a chick-flick. Have you all seen New Year's Eve. It's cute. Probably even cuter thanks to my extra sentimental pregnancy brain. I may have had watery eyes all movie long ;), but there was one scene that made a few tears roll down my cheeks. Sarah Jessica Parker (playing a single mom) is on the hunt to find her teenage daughter who snuck out of the house on New Year's Eve. Abigail Breslin (the daughter) was, as expected in a chick flick, searching (in Times Square) for the cute high school boy she was crushing on. Just at the very moment she sees the boy in the crowd, another teenage girl goes in for a kiss with the boy at midnight. Abigail sees the kiss, falls apart, and runs through the packed crowd in the opposite direction. She immediately smacks right into...dun dun dun...her mom (SJP)! Naturally, the timing lined up divinely (as it always does in a movie). She looks up at her mom and falls into a big hug. Yup. That was the scene...in all its cheesiness and predictability. The whole mother-daughter thing. I can see myself as both the mother and the daughter. I cried a tiny bit. It was just a silly chick flick, but it got the best of my emotions....easily so!

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I guess I don't mind the emotional roller-coaster so much. It can be annoying or embarrassing at times, but it's not really how I am all the time. I chalk it up to this amazing, God-given opportunity to have a baby knit together in me! I love all the good stuff and hard stuff that comes with this process. It's unique, beautiful, and sometimes messy.

Well, here's to wishing you the happiest of tears at just the right time! If you don't know why you're crying...think of me. You're in good company. ;) xoxo

Must Try: BBQ-ed Brie and Qwirkle

We were lucky to have Tim's parents here for 10 days! But, what I'm about to share with you I'm both proud of and ashamed of. ;) hehe..

In those ten days, we ate three rounds of brie cheese (you know, the Costco size). We shared some with others, but I'm pretty sure I ate double my fair share each time!

While I'm a sucker for good cheese cold or warm, I'd never had my cheese BBQ-ed until recently. Now, I can't get enough. Here...let me share!

 Take the whole round--rind and all--and pop it in some foil on the grill.

 Once the top starts to puff up--maybe 10-15 minutes or so--remove from heat and cut open.

 Enjoy immediately! Anything works for dipping in, but my favorite is a baguette or garlic bread!

Cheers!

And one more discovery to share...

My lovely in-laws gave Tim and I a new game for Christmas! Oh, how I love to play games.

Qwirkle.

Have you heard of it? Played it? It's like dominoes (although, truth be told..I've never played dominoes beyond stacking them up and pushing one down). This game uses colors and shapes rather than numbers.

 Tim was our score keeper!

 Here's the game...played out.

I only document the score sheet when I actually win the game! I can't brag too much, it's possibly just beginner's luck. ;)

If you get the chance, try it out!

Aloha! Happy almost weekend to you.

Eleven for Twelve

I'm sitting in the dark, quiet of by baby girl's nursery. Correction--room. And she's not much of a baby these days. In fact, I'm leaning against the door and tapping on the laptop keys as a gentle, physical reminder for her to stay in her new-to-her toddler bed.

So far so good. She's humming herself to sleep and I have a solitary place to put my resolutions in writing! Science proves that we are much more likely to stick with our goals if we share them with others!

Thanks to all of you who have added goals, ambitions, and resolutions to your social networking of choice. It's been an inspiration to read!

Okay...after much thought and prayer...I'm excited about embracing 2012. I not only share with you my resolutions for accountability's sake, but also because I can't misplace a blog post! I know exactly how to get back here and check up on my progress. ;)

We had a guest speaker at church this weekend and he shared that 12 is the number of order in the bible. He believes this year will be a year when God restores order for people personally and the church as a whole! Wow! I love that vision and I do believe this is a perfect year for me to claim God's order in my own life and with my own family.

I'm only on day two for my first resolution, and for me, it's lofty (because I'm not nearly as disciplined as I wish I were)...but this is my first and best way to invite order back.

1. Read through the bible this year! I have a One-Year bible that is organized in chronological order and broken up into daily readings from start to finish. *To be honest, I bought this bible two years ago and dusted it off two days ago. Yikes. Well, here's to a new year!

2. Read My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Again. This is my all-time favorite devotional. If you've never tried this one out, I strongly recommend it! As you underline wisdom that speaks to you, date it also. Then if you read this during various years, you'll have an awesome record of what God showed you in the past!

3. Jog more. Surf more.

4. Try a new dinner recipe each month.

5. Use coupons.

6. Learn to sew!!!

7. Finish the books I've started. Specifically as follows:

• The Shack
• In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
• The book of Jane (Christian Chic Lit)
• The Pound 4 Pound Principle (written by my pastor)
• East of Eden
• The Help
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
• The Power of a Praying Wife
• Bringing Up Girls

I don't even want to think about when the last time was that I picked up some of these titles. It's not that they are boring reads, it's just that I get so stinkin' busy and push reading so far off until it falls off my plate altogether. It's shameful (I'm an English teacher). 

8. Reach out more to my neighbors--literally--the families living in the homes on my street. Tangibly speaking, here's my plan: have time to stop and chat while walking the dogs, when possible, make extra food and take over meals, bake extra cookies and drop at doors, invite to church. 

9. Take more time to chat with my students about their lives. 

10. Gain weight, have a baby, lose weight. Well, I suppose the only real resolution is the lose weight part because the gain and baby are comin' no matter what I do. ;) Anyway, this summer still falls into this year and I'll need this resolution then! Just Dance 3-- Here I come! 

11. Pray more. Specifically for my daughter, daughter-to-be, and husband. I pray. I pray honestly and I pray hard. What I don't pray is consistently---enough. I need to find more quiet places and pray without ceasing. 

All eleven resolutions won't happen this week, this month, or even in this half of the year. The beautiful thing about new year's resolutions is that I have 365 days to remember and focus on these eleven goals. Eleven goals that I believe will help restore order and help me honor God above all else. 

Join me! Make measurable and attainable resolutions. Don't like resolutions? Call them goals. Ambitions. Ideas. Heck, call them dreams. But think about what you want for 2012. Each year goes faster than the last, right? 

May God richly bless you in this new year!

Zephaniah 3:17