Really? People question my ability to cook. I remember when Darren and I were dating. I would cook and he would come over to my apartment and be shocked every time we ate. He was suprised I could cook. Darren + being single = take out every single meal. I die laughing everytime he makes the comment, "I can't believe you cook so good even though you were single for so long." UGH what is that supposed to mean?
I love, love, love to cook.
I asked my mom for a recipe on facebook the other day and her good friend made the comment to her that she didn't know I was into that sort of thing...hahaha. I am quite domesticated. I can understand how some could have the misconception that I am not at all, but in reality I am pretty good at the whole barefoot and pregnant thing. My fun, single, traveling days are over and now I spend hours slaving in the kitchen. Ok not really! From Miley Cyrus to The Fray-someone is always singing to me while I cook and I am usually dancing around the kitchen. Cooking is theraputic for me. The kitchen is my space. I am getting excited just thinking about what I will cook today.
I can make some chicken and dumplings that will make you want to slap yo mama! I like cooking things that take lots of time and love. Jalapeno cornbread is a favorite too. I will spend a few hours cooking something just to see the smile on someone's face or an empty dish haha.
The holidays are here which means LOTS of cooking.
And thanks to my friend Jen, I have been trying out some Greek dishes. I am currently into all things Greek. So if you have any good recipes throw some my way or if you're in the neighborhood let me know and I will whip something up!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
It's not about me
So I will be the first to admit I have BIG dreams for my son. Basically I already have his whole life planned out. Well that is until yesterday when the Lord whispered in my ear, "Alayna, his life is about me." We get caught up. Caught up in our wants, what the world wants, what we wanted for ourselves. O to the simple life.
Living in Belize for three months during my last semester of college was the most amazing time of my life. IT WAS SIMPLE. Our shower was a water hose stuck through a hole in this shack, no blow dryers, makeup, cellphone, tv. The day I landed and finally got to the shack I would be calling home, I took a shower and got out the blowdryer. My professor laughed and said, "I told you girls not to bring blowdryers and makeup." Ugh I was thinking if I just looked better, I might feel better about being stuck out here in the remote nothingness. So I continued blowdrying my hair and blowdrying and blowdrying. Well, well, well because it is so humid it was impossible to dry my hair. I had a freak out moment-NO BLOWDRYER AND NO MAKEUP FOR THREE MONTHS? How would people look at me. It was the beginning of a real period of freedom in my life.
One day I was talking to a local and we were joking about how "poor" all the locals were. Ok well perhaps I was the only one joking about no air conditioning, no cell phone, internet. He politely informed me that they just had less stuff to get in the way of them and God. Wasn't expecting that comment. I thought about it alot that summer. And time to time I still do. I wouldn't mind living that way for the rest of my life. We work so hard to get straight A's, to get into a good school, to get a good job, to be able to pay for the nice house and the BMer (BMW for those of you who aren't familiar with the term). So caught up in making enough to send your child to a good school, pay for every activity that they or YOU want them to join, and to be able to buy them the coolest clothes or shoes.
As a parent, do we sit down and think of the example we are setting for our child? Is that what it's all about? The corporate job, the awesome house with granite countertops, and the two seater Mercedes?
Luke 9:61-62 says:
"Still another said, I will follow you, Lord; but first let me goback and say good by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
That was a real wake up call for me yesterday. What if Ethan doesn't want to play football at LSU? (you may laugh, but I am serious about pushing him in that direction) What if he doesn't want to go to college at all? What if he wants to live like a guy I once met, named Donnie Martimer? Donnie went to an Ivey League school, drove the BMer and then sold it all including his clothes when he got the the call from the Lord. I used to think I would be proud to have a son like that, but now that I am a parent I think I might just die if I had busted my butt to give my child everything for him to sell it all and live like a vagabond.
So it's me, it's me that has to realize that I have to change. I have to be a real life example to my child. I refuse to live in a house of "do what I say, not what I do." It starts with me. More importantly, it starts with me realizing that it's not about me. Not a little bit, not at all.
Living in Belize for three months during my last semester of college was the most amazing time of my life. IT WAS SIMPLE. Our shower was a water hose stuck through a hole in this shack, no blow dryers, makeup, cellphone, tv. The day I landed and finally got to the shack I would be calling home, I took a shower and got out the blowdryer. My professor laughed and said, "I told you girls not to bring blowdryers and makeup." Ugh I was thinking if I just looked better, I might feel better about being stuck out here in the remote nothingness. So I continued blowdrying my hair and blowdrying and blowdrying. Well, well, well because it is so humid it was impossible to dry my hair. I had a freak out moment-NO BLOWDRYER AND NO MAKEUP FOR THREE MONTHS? How would people look at me. It was the beginning of a real period of freedom in my life.
One day I was talking to a local and we were joking about how "poor" all the locals were. Ok well perhaps I was the only one joking about no air conditioning, no cell phone, internet. He politely informed me that they just had less stuff to get in the way of them and God. Wasn't expecting that comment. I thought about it alot that summer. And time to time I still do. I wouldn't mind living that way for the rest of my life. We work so hard to get straight A's, to get into a good school, to get a good job, to be able to pay for the nice house and the BMer (BMW for those of you who aren't familiar with the term). So caught up in making enough to send your child to a good school, pay for every activity that they or YOU want them to join, and to be able to buy them the coolest clothes or shoes.
As a parent, do we sit down and think of the example we are setting for our child? Is that what it's all about? The corporate job, the awesome house with granite countertops, and the two seater Mercedes?
Luke 9:61-62 says:
"Still another said, I will follow you, Lord; but first let me goback and say good by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
That was a real wake up call for me yesterday. What if Ethan doesn't want to play football at LSU? (you may laugh, but I am serious about pushing him in that direction) What if he doesn't want to go to college at all? What if he wants to live like a guy I once met, named Donnie Martimer? Donnie went to an Ivey League school, drove the BMer and then sold it all including his clothes when he got the the call from the Lord. I used to think I would be proud to have a son like that, but now that I am a parent I think I might just die if I had busted my butt to give my child everything for him to sell it all and live like a vagabond.
So it's me, it's me that has to realize that I have to change. I have to be a real life example to my child. I refuse to live in a house of "do what I say, not what I do." It starts with me. More importantly, it starts with me realizing that it's not about me. Not a little bit, not at all.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
To work or not to work???
I always told my students to quit wishing their lives away. I sit here this morning and realize I am doing that exact thing. I wish I had a job, I wish I would loose weight, blah blah blah. So I am doing it. I have my resume in a stamped envelope and my tennis shoes on ready to work out. No more excuses people...no more excuses!!!!! M.O.T.I.V.A.T.I.O.N. I could use some haha
Monday, November 9, 2009
Halloween or the lack of....
So those who know me, already know that for my own personal reasons I choose not to celebrate Halloween. I am not out on a soapbox trying to convince people that they shouldn't, it's just not for me. That said, I did get a costume for baby Ethan and he took pics with his cousins Kainen and Dylan.
It was hilarious because I bought Ethan's costume in September and well by Halloween it BARELY fit. I had to be careful not to zip up his chest and his little hood would barely stay on his head because the costume was too short!
It was hilarious and the boys looked ADORABLE!
Monday, October 26, 2009
What was I thinking...
So it's been awhile! Lots of things going on. One minute I am dying of cabing fever and wanting to go to work, so I start subbing just to get out of the house. Well then they want me to stay for the rest of the year...then I get nervous. I don't want to be that committed-haha. I want to work when I want and stay home with Ethan when I want. O why can't we just have it all?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
These are a few of my FAVORITE things...
So it's Saturday night, the weather is ridiculously AMAZING, LSU won, and I made sushi for the first time and it was pretty darn good, went to my favorite store "Fleur-de-Lis" and made a couple of purchases. It got me to thinking about my favorite things so here they are:
- Any and all things fleur-de-lis.
- A good Reisling.
- Homemade french toast.
- http://www.etsy.com/ (thanks to my sis, Mir)
- When my stepkids make Ethan laugh out loud.
- Nachitoches, LA during the first weekend of December--so nostalgic (sp?)
- Road trips
- LSU football
- Flying first class...haha old memories, doesn't happen anymore :(
- THE FAIR
- Laughing so hard that you cry or your stomach hurts.
- Good thought provoking conversation.
- The CRICUIT...if you don't know then Google it
- Scrabble
- "The Man in the Moon" great movie
- Smell of Gain dryer sheets
- Windows down and singing to the top of your lungs in the car.
- Concerts in small venues
- The smell of my husband's "scent cover" that he uses while hunting.
- The PECAN TREE IN MY BACK YARD!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Who knew sitting up could be such a big deal!
Well little Ethan is seven months old and officially sitting up by himself! Only a mother could possibly be soooo excited about such a simple task. I absolutely adore my son...he is such a joy in our lives. Possibly the most laid back and happy baby I have ever known! Lucky me
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thankful!
It's that time of the year. I stepped outside to see my hubby off to work and it felt amazing! Ahhh my absolute favorite season. A time of thanks. With that thought, I want to share a little with you about my amazing sister. She recently made a decision to be a surrogate for a dear friend of hers. Things were going perfect and she was pregnant. She went for her first ultrasound and there was no baby. She had a miscarriage. It was disheartening to say the least for all involved. I am thankful for my sister, thankful that she is obedient to the Lord, thankful that she is so calm and wise beyond her years, most of all I am thankful that she is my little sis!
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