Shark!!!

On Friday afternoon, when Dylan woke up from his nap, we loaded up and headed out to the beach to meet some friends!  Our friends were fishing and Tamra and Kyle decided to play a trick on Josh and make him think they had hooked something big!  Literally right as we were walking up, they realized that the joke was on them because there WAS something on the line!!!  So the excitement built as the guys slowly reeled in their catch, and as it got closer we could see the fins in the water....

 

It was a shark!!!  A 5'2" shark!!!  My boys were over the moon with excitement!!!  Can we say perfect timing?!!  We got there just in time to get to be in on the fun!

 

the big boys!

 

 

me & Tamra holding it!!

 

grrr...can't figure out why this pic is posting sideways but here's all the bigger kiddos holding the shark!

After the excitement wore down a little, the kiddos all played!

whats better than football?!  football in the ocean of course!!

 

lil man had fun playing in the sand w/ baby K!

 

 

This was definitely my first run in with a shark in the wild and I hope the only time I ever encounter a wild shark it will be on the end of a fishing pole!!!  We had such a good time ~ we're so blessed to live by some of the most beautiful beaches and have some of the greatest friends!! We are doing our best to spend as much time as we can enjoying both before we move!



The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
~John 10:10~


Menu Monday

I can't believe it's already Monday again!!!  The lack of routine in the summer is so welcome in some ways but it really does throw me off in a lot of ways too! (truth be told, I'm a routine kind of girl but I'm doing my best to just embrace this lack of routine and be in the moment w/ my sweet family) 

 

We had a great weekend!  You'll have to check back tomorrow to read about our experience with a shark at the beach!!  This week we will complete our 1st year of homeschooling and we have some fun planned too!

 

Here's what will fuel the madness in the Miculka home this week.....

 

Monday ~ BBQ Chicken w/ Green Beans

 

Tuesday ~ Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken w/ Jasmine Rice & Broccoli

 

Wednesday ~ Breakfast for Dinner....Ham, Scrambled Eggs & Hashbrowns

 

Thursday ~ Enchiladas w/ Pinto Beans

 

Friday ~ Pecan Crusted Chicken w/ Peas

(i shared the recipe for this one HERE...last time we made it we used a mix of walnuts, pecans & almonds and it was even better!!)

 

Saturday ~ Lemon Bell Pepper Chicken w/ Jasmine Rice

 

Sunday ~ Baked Potato Bar

 

So...I'd love to hear what your favorite summer meal is!!  I'm always looking for new meal inspiration and tried and true recipes that you already love are the best!!  Please do comment and share!!

 

Hope your week is off to a great start!!

 

 

 

Therefore do no worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

~Matthew 6:34~


Menu Monday

We had a great Father's Day weekend celebrating my hubby and the wonderful daddy that he is to our boys!!  We still have a couple weeks of schoolwork to finish up with the big boys, I'm knee deep in planning Dylan's 2nd birthday party, and of course we want to mix some fun in the sun in there too ~ we have lots to keep us busy this week!!

 

Here's what we'll be eatin'......

 

Monday ~ Italian Turkey Meatballs w/ Green Beans

 

Tuesday ~ Sausage, Potato & Veggie Bake

 

Wednesday ~ Fajitas w/ Homemade Guacamole

(the best homemade Guac....check it out. try it. love it!)

 

Thursday ~ Baked Lemon Poppyseed Chicken over Spinach w/ Strawberries

(this one is SO light, quick, & super easy! this isn't the first time I've linked to it and I'm sure it won't be the last!!)

 

Friday ~ Bacon & Corn Risotto

 

Saturday ~ BBQ Chicken w/ Baked Beans & Salad

 

Sunday ~ Frozen Dinners <~~~ keepin' it real! ha!

 

Do y'all follow Sheaffer over @ Pinterest Told Me To?!!  If not, then start NOW!!  She's hilarious and fun and sweet and ya just HAVE to head over and check it out mmmkay?!  I will be eating a frozen meal that she swears by in THIS post!)

 

And of course, I'm linking to several of my favorite recipes from Shay @ Mix and Match Mama and if you haven't ever checked her recipe blog out then GO! NOW!  Lots of great recipes that are simple, delicious and do-able for busy wifey's and mommy's!!

 

Hope y'all all have a wonderful week!!!

 

 

 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.

~Ephesians 4:32~

Instagram Fun #5

Occasionally, I like to go back through my Instagram pictures and choose some of my favorites to share here!  Two reasons for this...1) Its fun to go back through and remember the circumstances from each picture!  A little trip down memory lane!  And 2) I feel like I blog about the bigger moments/events in life but really the little moments that make up each day are so special and I want to document some of those moments here too!

 

So...here are some my favorites from the last several weeks.....

 

Dylan wanted me to color with him one morning and of course I couldn't say no, but seriously?  My artistic skills leave much to be desired! ha!  But he loved it! ;)

playing with friends at the park.  is there anything cuter than toddler friends?!

Dylan figured out how to pop the door knob covers off so keeping him out of things is a full time job! I walked in the kitchen one day to find this...... {sigh}

I still rock and snuggle littlest everyday before his nap.  Its one of my favorite times of the day! (and the fact that he grinned behind his binky when I took this cracks me up!!!)

Headed to the beach one morning w/ my rowdy crew!

this day was a particularly rough one with Dylan and here he was upset because I wouldn't give him a donut from on top of the fridge (where they were strategically placed out of his reach) and he was very seriously trying to get one himself. crazy child!

Saturday nights get pretty wild around here ~ Chicago fire on Hulu and painting my nails! ;)

My happy place ~ on the couch in my comfies, glass of wine in hand, doing some shopping online, & watching The Bachelorette on tv!!  Multi tasking at its finest!

  

I just love that Instagram gives me an easy way to document the little moments and to connect with others too!!  So tell me.....what is your favorite way to be sure you remember all the little moments in your day to day?!

 

I'd love to have you follow along on Instagram ~ I'm @sassyaubs!!

 

 

 

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

~Psalm 34:19~



Birthday Fun!

We had so much fun celebrating Colby and Brayden's birthdays for the last week!!!  They each woke up to a birthday banner, balloons, and a new book on their special day!  Then we went to visit my wonderful friend Teresa, who owns our favorite local coffee shop, and picked up the muffins she made for each of them on their day!  She made them their favorites ~ Colby chose lemon poppyseed and Brayden chose chocolate!  And we ended both days with their chosen birthday dinners & desserts!

 

Colby enjoying his birthday dinner!

the boys and Mrs. Teresa!

Sweet boys enjoying Brayden's dessert choice together!

 

Then yesterday, we had their birthday party with some of their friends!  I went super easy this year and just had it at a local arcade/laser tag place and they had a BLAST!! 

 

the whole crew!

lil man playing too!

pizza time!

12 candles to blow out!!

that's some serious candle blowing going on....haha!

not even sure what brought this on but yeah. cupcake smash. ;)

on our way out ~ we had SO much fun!

 

I'm so blessed to be these boys mom and I had so much fun celebrating them this last week!!  A new year has begun for them and I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for them this year!

 

 

 

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

~Romans 8:32~

Menu Monday

Another great weekend is in the books!!  Is it just me or is this year FLYING by?!  I feel like every time I blink another month has gone by!  We have the big boys birthday party today and the excitement level in our home this morning is pretty out of control!! =)  Looking forward to the week with my sweet little family ~ we're still finishing up our school year and I've got lots of planning to do for summer activities and littlest's birthday party!!

 

Here's what we'll be filling our tummies with this week....

 

Monday ~ Tacos

 

Tuesday ~ Carolina Country Chicken w/ Green Beans

(this is one of my trusty McCormick Grill Mates marinades!)

 

Wednesday ~ Breakfast for Dinner...Sausage, Scrambled Eggs & Watermelon

 

Thursday ~ Skillet Sausage w/ Couscous & Broccoli

 

Friday ~ Apple Glazed Turkey Cutlets w/ Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

(these sweet potatoes are one of our FAVE side dishes!!)

 

Saturday ~ Grill Burgers w/ Baked Beans & Baked Sweet Potato Fries

 

Sunday ~ Rotisserie Chicken w/ Peas

 

I've let busyness get in the way of my nutrition goals the last few weeks but I'm getting back on track this week!!  I am committing to turning in food logs to my trainer every week for the next 4 weeks and that accountability is a sure way for me to deny the temptation to indulge!! 

 

Have a fantastic week!!

 

 

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

~Matthew 11:28~

Happy Happy Birthday Brayden!!

We get to celebrate another birthday boy today!!  Brayden is 8!!  Where in the world has the time gone?!  I remember feeling like I would never get to sleep again.  And I remember feeling like those nights would never end.  But I blinked and here I am.  That sweet, no sleeping baby is eight years old.  And what a blessing that God chose me to be his mama!!

 

birthday boy!! =)

 

Brayden James, what a sweet blessing you are!  I wondered through my pregnancy how I could possibly love another baby as much as I did your brother.  And then they laid you in my arms that first time and you stole my heart!  I still don't know how, but I know that I do.  I love you more than you will ever know!  You are so full of energy and spunk.  You know what you want and you will stop at nothing to get it.  That strong will of yours exhausts me at times but I just know that God is going to use it in big ways for His glory!  You are the family clown ~ always making us laugh!!  You have a heart the size of Texas and you've yet to meet a sport you don't love!  Your giggles melt me and your love for life inspires me. 

 

I can't imagine our family without you!  You are so much like me and that challenges me in such unexpected ways! Your a blessing to everyone who knows you and you are so full of joy that its contagious.  You take your role as a big brother very serious and you do such a great job of loving your baby brother! (and your big brother too!)  You are my charming, sweet, loving, strong willed little man and I'm so thankful for you!

 

Keep your eyes on Jesus my love!  He has amazing plans for you and I can't wait to see that unfold!!  Your daddy and I are so very proud of you and always will be!  Never lose that determination and charm that make you uniquely you! 

 

Happy Happy Birthday to the sweetest 8 year old there is!!!

 

 

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~Jeremiah 29:11~

Sarah's Visit

You know how there are girlfriends and then there are those friends that become more like sisters?!  Sarah's friendship is such a treasured blessing to me and she is definitely more like a sister!  We had SO much fun while she was here!!  We didn't do a whole lot of anything special, but still had such a great time!

 

We did dinner w/ some of my girlfriends here, had an Origami Owl party, and did lots of shopping...all of which I have NO pictures! Boo!!  I've got to get better about that!

 

I put Sarah to work one night helping me make decorations for a women's ministry event at my church!  We laughed so much and had so much fun!!

 

late night no make-up decoration makin' fools! =)

 

We went to the beach a couple of times.  The first time it was red flag, miserably windy, & crazy rough water so we let the boys get out for a few minutes but didn't stay long.  The 2nd try was much more successful!!  We did have to leave because of a storm rolling in, but we were able to let the boys play and we enjoyed getting sunburnt a little sun!

 

this lil stinker had just thrown sand right at Sarah and thought it was so funny! ;)

Sarah snapped this sweet pic of me w/ my boys ~ love it!



another sweet pic that Sarah snapped w/o me knowing!

love these 2 crazy boys!!

me and Sarah!! 

the storm rolling in when we were leaving the beach was crazy! top pic is looking out the drivers side window; middle pic is out the passenger window; and the bottom pic is looking strait ahead....crazy huh?!

 

Then before I knew it, her week here was over and we were headed back to the airport. 

 

one last pic before heading to the airport to drop her off.

 

Her visit was such a blessing for me!!  We laughed A LOT and I love that even though we go a couple of years without seeing each other, it's always like no time has passed!  I miss her already and can't wait for the next time I get to see her!



This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
~1 John 5:14~

Happiest Birthday Colby!

My baby is 12. TWELVE!!  It seems like just last month I was walking through the house bouncing him for hours and hours because it was the only thing that kept him from crying.  And it seems like just yesterday he was playing in his first little soccer season and graduating kindergarten.  Now?!  He's 12.  Going into 7th grade and growing more and more independent all the time!  I wouldn't trade a single moment of being this boy's mom....the good, the ugly and every moment in between....I wouldn't change a thing!
 

wearing a waffle house hat during his birthday dinner tonight!

 

Colby, my sweet sweet boy ~ I'm really not sure that I can put my love for you into words.  You made me a mama.  And you have blessed me more than I ever could of dreamed.  You have the biggest heart and the best contagious laugh so full of joy.  Your love for the Lord humbles and inspires me.  You are so helpful and are the BEST big brother!  Your intelligence and love for learning fascinate me. 

 

Sometimes I am tempted to wish that time would stop.  That you wouldn't grow up so fast.  But then I would miss seeing you learn and day by day become the young man God created you to be.  You truly amaze me and I get so excited when I think of all that God has in store for you!  

 

Keep being you and never stop running after Jesus my sweet boy ~ he'll never lead you astray.  And know that your Dad and I are so very proud of you and will be your biggest supporters and cheerleaders every step of the way. 

 

Happiest Birthday to my absolute favorite 12 year old!!!!



"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
~Jeremiah 1:5~

Menu Monday

This is a mega birthday week in our home and I'm so excited to celebrate two of our boys!!  One of our birthday traditions with the boys is that they get to choose the dinner menu for their birthday.  They LOVE this and look forward to it each year!  So twice this week, we will be eating birthday dinners chosen by our 12 and 8 year olds! {y'all...how is it possible that they are turning 12 & 8??!!}

 

Here's what will fuel our celebration all week....

 

**Monday ~ Grouch Chicken w/ Roasted Squash & Onions

 

**Tuesday ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLBY!!  Waffle House {gag} ;) and Donuts for dessert

 

**Wednesday ~ Pecan Crusted Chicken w/ Broccoli

{click HERE for recipe!}

 

**Thursday ~ Carolina Country Chicken w/ Asparagus

 

**Friday ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!!  He chose Homemade Pizzas w/ Meemi's Green Beans & Beets and Hershey's Ice Cream Shop for dessert

 

**Saturday ~ Tacos

 

**Sunday ~ Baked Lemon Poppyseed Chicken over Spinach w/ Sliced Strawberries

 

Okay.  So a few noteworthy things to mention here.....

 

*Before moving here I had always heard all about Waffle House.  We moved here and I was all pumped to try it and ummmm....no.  Far from impressed.  But Colby LOVES it and since its his birthday and all about him for the day, Waffle House it is. 

 

*Brayden's birthday menu cracks.me.up.  The boy is crazy!  Meemi's green beans just means that it is canned green beans and they are cooked in chicken broth....that's how my Meemi makes them and he loves them.  And beets?!  The boy will hardly eat anything with nutritional value without a fight but he loves pickled beets. So pizza, green beans & pickled beets....mmmmkay.  Hardly the norm but I'm rolling with it! ha!

 

*This baked lemon poppyseed chicken is amazing.  Y'all...we had it last week and we're having it again and for the love of all that is good and tasty would you just make this meal and then come tell me how right I am?!  I'm pretty surious about this ~ just make it. now. And then thank me later!

 

Alright...I'm off to enjoy our week o' celebration!!  Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!!

 

 

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.

~Psalm 127:3~