Band-aid brigade

I stocked up today. I think we're going to be needing these in the near future because a certain four year old girl who lives at my house has learned to ride her bike sans training wheels! Just last Friday she was showing off her one-training wheel skills to her Nana. On Saturday Cale put them both up and off she went! We even went on our first family ride on Sunday; we might have averaged a speed of 6mph, but we sure did have fun! Haven's had 2 crashes and neither of them that bad. Honestly, the band-aids are more needed for her general walking around. She's better balancing on two wheels on her bike then walking down the street some days! Now she'll have to pick which kind to use first. Decisions, decisions!

Another week gone by...

Just another week around here, but that's okay. I've been mildly productive and that is an improvement from last week so I'll take it.

-I started off last weekend with a horrible toothache. Friday afternoon I found myself in the dentist chair, paying them lots of money to drill my tooth. I've been nursing a temporary crown all week and have about three teeth that are comfortable to chew on. While painful and expensive, it has been an excellent appetite deterrent. But I don't recommend it!

-Last Monday we started Potty Training Boot Camp with Mati. (That means we just went straight to underwear when he is awake.) I had a sense he was ready and, for once in his life, he hasn't proven me wrong. We are on Day 5 of no accidents and that includes going grocery shopping, home group, a friend's house and running some errands, all in undies. He's done awesome! And seriously, have you ever seen a cuter behind in some camo before? I think not!

Yes, I did make him play outside in only his underwear last week, thanks for asking.

-I'm in "let's re-do our house" mode which is dangerous and always ridiculous. So instead I settled for a $20 upgrade in the bathroom and some 80% off frames and a can of spray paint for some new artwork. Much more reasonable and will hopefully quench the desire to do much else!

-Company's coming which means dessert needed to be made. I settled on this after seeing raspberries and blackberries for $1 at the grocery store. It's pure summer delight! Isn't she a beauty? And I'm trying something new for dinner. (By the way- am I the only one who does that? Tries out new recipes when company is coming or for big holiday dinners? I always seem to and thus far have been successful. I wasn't wrong about this dish either!)

-Sweetest moment of the week: Haven came over to me after she ate breakfast and said, "Mom, I love you. You're the hero of our family." I asked her what she meant and she told me, "You are the hero because you help out Papa and help me and help Mati. You're just the hero." And then I melted on the floor. She's been extra difficult this week so it was nice to have something kind come out of her mouth!

-Cale has been enjoying the World Cup. He played soccer growing up and likes watching it. Me? Not so much. But I do love the theme song for this year's World Cup! The kids and I dance around at least once a day to it. And chances are that you'll hear Cale and I singing it around the house. Very catchy, that song! (Seriously- I sat and listened to it 8 times while I wrote this past. I'm warning you- it will get stuck in your head! But I like it so I don't mind!)

-We're kicking off our weekend enjoying fireworks, music and a flyover at a local event. It's supposed to be a beautiful evening and we're going with great friends. I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night!

Our best one

He's been in love since he first laid eyes on these two...

...and it's grown with each passing day.

Happy Father's Day to my best one who blesses my kids and his wife daily with his selfless love and servant heart. We love you!

Missing it

Days are slipping past me, one after another all looking much the same. There's nothing really wrong with this. After all, I am a girl who likes routine. But for some reason of late it doesn't feel quite right. There are moments to savor, memories to make and children to love. And I just don't think I"m doing any of it well. I feel disengaged; not from friends or family, but from the thinking part of myself. From the part that makes plans and goals, lists full of things to do and books to read and inspired to tackle my responsibilities. I am disconnected from all the things that make me feel accomplished and successful and like I'm getting things done. I can't seem to force myself back into that place either, no matter how hard I try. I'm not sure what to do. Is this supposed to be one of those quieter times, breathing space to just be? Is it laziness? Is it a self-imposed funk?

But I don't want to miss it...this day...this moment. They will never be here again. I want to savor the long days of sunshine and running through the sprinkler, splashing in the pool. I want to sit on the back porch with a good book and a glass of iced tea. I want to get messy painting with the kids and take them out for ice cream as a treat after a long day of playing. I want a sunburned nose and a pile of laundry that is evidence of a good time. I want to find the balance of having a plan but living in the moment. I want my mind to be filled with snapshots of these days- hanging out around the fire pit with friends, catching fireflies with Haven and watching Mati run around outside with his purple broom.

Today, I'm not going to miss it.

Balsamic Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This salsa is summertime perfection! I've made it twice in the last 2 weeks and just threw together another batch to take camping with friends this weekend. It's easy, makes a ton and is even better the second day. It's outstanding with my favorite summertime drink, too, which is equal parts Simply Limeade and ginger ale mixed together. Enjoy!

Balsamic Black Bean and Corn Salsa
from My Kitchen Cafe - one of my favorites!

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed well
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained well (you could use frozen corn, thawed)
½ medium onion finely diced (about 1/3 cup)
½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 (7 oz.) can salsa verde (I used Herdez brand- and only half of it)
Juice of 1 lime
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the salsa marinate for a few hours (or overnight before serving). Drain most of the liquid from the salsa before serving. Serve with tortilla chips.

My man: the triathlete (almost)

Cale has spent the last several months training for a triathlon. Not in some crazy over-the-top way, but swimming a few times a week, getting out on his bike and the occasional run. (He hates to run.) Well, last Wednesday was his first race and it sure turned out to me a memorable night.

The kids and I were enjoying hanging out with friends while our husbands/dads raced around. They swam their half mile and were all set to head out on their bikes when we realized the sky was getting a bit dark. A few minutes later the cops were at the beach evacuating people because tornadoes had touched down nearby. In an instant the sky was black and the wind was blowing like crazy. Imagine trash blowing all around and not being able to walk upright because the winds are blowing you back! My kids were hysterical as we trudged up from the beach back to our car. It was insane! We made it back to the car moments after it started to pour. By the time we had gotten settled in the car my friend, D, and I had decided we were going to go follow the bike route and try to find our husbands. As we were pulling out of the parking lot several riders were coming back in, realizing that the rain, wind and lightening were not ideal conditions for a bike race. (Note: Cale did not get that memo!)

The next hour was stressful as we drove through a massive storm trying to spot Cale. D and I kept calling each other with updates. An hour into our search she called with the worst news. Her husband had been hit by a car on his bike! He was taken to the hospital by ambulance and she and her kids were following behind. Her phone call escalated my stress and made me even more anxious to find Cale. I drove back and forth along parts of the course knowing he'd have to turn up eventually. I called my mom to ask her to pray and she asked God to just have Cale be there- right in front of me. Not a minute later, Cale was indeed, "right there"! We were ecstatic to see him and started honking the horn. The rain had let up some by this point but it was still lightening and thundering like crazy. I pulled up next to Cale and asked if he knew the race was over. He was so focused on the race that he didn't really think about how bad the conditions were. At one point, an enormous tree had fallen completely blocking the road and he had to lift his bike up and climb over it. He said he thought about turning around then but figured he was well past the half-way mark and might as well continue. Cale ended up doing 16 of the 21 miles in a horrendous storm- crazy man!

Once I safely had my husband we rushed to the hospital to be with our friends. Thankfully, J wasn't hurt badly, but did break his tailbone and got some serious road rash. The spent the better part of the night at the ER and we brought their kids home with us for a sleepover. It was definitely a crazy night and one we won't soon forget!

So Cale's not quite a triathlete yet...only a dual. But there's always next time. Let's hope next week's race goes a whole lot better!