A Special Gift

 

 

I received the following text the other day from an amazing friend.....

 

"Need to thank you for something. Watching you weather this storm in your life is teaching me a lot about reliance on God in times of trouble.  Sure, you break down....but then you get back up and smile again.  You are helping me learn what it is to have faith in the storms.  I think you are doing amazing. So thank you."

 

I'm so incredibly humbled and honestly blown away!  Y'all.....I feel like a big 'ole hot mess lately.  I certainly wouldn't pick myself as a prize winning package on how to deal with huge life struggles.  But from the very beginning of the storm our family has been facing, I have cried out to God in the lowest of times and begged that if nothing else that He would somehow be glorified in all of this.  That He could somehow takes this overwhelmed, tearful, mess that is me and use it.

 

Please hear my heart and know that I'm not sharing this to say "look at me" or "look how good I am".  But I just think its so important to be open to sharing our stories.  To be authentic and real about it!  When I look at myself all I see is the "sure you break down" part.  I feel like that's all I do!  ha!  But God can use that.  All He asks is that we trust Him.  Follow His lead.

 

The other thing this text did for me was reinforce what a gift encouragement is!  There are times the thought of emailing or texting someone crosses my mind and I blow it off.  I fight that little nudge.  But we just never know how God may use that seemingly insignificant little bit of love or encouragement!  Listen to those little nudges and do it!!  I'm pretty sure that my sweet friend had NO idea how much that text would bless me!  I cried and cried because that text was the encouragement I needed from the Lord that day. 

 

Sharing.  Authenticity.  Encouragement.  Love.

These can all be such special gifts!  So don't hesitate to share the seemingly uglier parts of your story ~ be authentic in sharing and God can and will use that!  Don't hesitate to call, email, or text that person that's on your mind ~ it may just bless them more than you could ever dream!

 

 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another......

~Hebrews 10:24&25~

 



Mothers Day {2013}

My Mothers Day weekend was simple which makes it perfect for me!!  I really am so incredibly blessed by these 3 boys of ours and I am so overwhelmed by the realization that they are mine! 

 

The weekend kicked off on Saturday morning w/ some time with girlfriends.  Our plan was to hang out by the pool, drink mimosas & eat good food.  The weather had other ideas!!  It was rainy all morning and then too chilly to get in the pool but that didn't stop our fun!  We relaxed in the hot tub, drank mimosas, ate good food and laughed a lot!!

Jamie, Kim, Marci, Despi, & Me ~ they are the best!

look one way, there's the pool!  look the other way, the ocean! 

 

Then I came home to THE best hubby and sweetest boys who gave me the gift they had been working on.  I had been wondering all week because John had been working on something in the garage for me and I couldn't figure out what in the world it might be!

LOVE it!!  Wish I would of taken a before pic of my jewelry mess but I was too excited about getting it all organized and I forgot!  But here is the after pic and I love it!!

 

I had talked about wanting to make a jewelry organizer/holder a few months ago and then it never happened.  I was so shocked that he remembered and made me one!!  So sweet!  And he took all 3 boys to his office Saturday and used the copier to make a handprint card!  He got the idea off of pinterest!!!  I about died when he told me that!  His theory?  I love pinterest so if he wants to do something I will like, he'll go to pinterest!  Smart man!!  Oh how I love him!!

 

Sunday we went to church and then the boys had their buddies over afterwards.  I SO enjoyed listening to their laughter and seeing the joy in their eyes as they played tag & basketball & hide-n-seek & all kinds of carefree games!  I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day!

 

best friends! =)

I'm so grateful for this Mommy gig and all that comes with it!  They challenge me in ways I never imagined possible and they bring me more joy than I ever could of dreamed.  I'm thankful that God knows what he's doing and that He gave me the perfect boys for me!!  And I'm so blessed to have an amazing husband and best friend to share it all with!!



"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
~Proverbs 31:29&30~

Menu Monday

It was a great weekend here at the Miculka home!!  A little relaxation and a lot of fun!  We've got a little bit of a case of the Monday's around here this morning but its nothing a little Avengers and breakfast can't fix!! ;)  I'm grateful for a new week ~ here's what we'll be eatin' this week.....

 

**Monday ~ Rotisserie Chicken, Cous Cous, & Broccoli

(yup...didn't go grocery shopping yesterday so hubby is picking up a rotisserie chicken on his way home from work ~ no shame in my game! ha!)

 

**Tuesday ~ Maple Walnut Chicken w/ Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

(we sub coconut oil for the olive oil in the potatoes ~ this meal is SO good!!)

 

**Wednesday ~ Italian Meatballs w/ Marinara Sauce & Green Beans

 

**Thursday ~ Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

**Friday ~ I'm doing a Scentsy party so I'll grab a quick salad before I leave and the boys will be on their own!

 

**Saturday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Asparagus

 

**Sunday ~ Breakfast for Dinner ~ Scrambled eggs, Sausage, Pancakes & Fruit

 

 

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and that your week is off to a great start!!

 

 

 

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

~Proverbs 16:3 & 9~

That one dreaded word.....

This journey as a military wife is a blessed one.  In so, so many ways!  But there are some really tough things that come along with the calling to be a military wife.  Goodbyes.  Lots of them.  And ya know, I keep waiting for it to get easier but it doesn't.  It hurts so much. 

 

I'm so thankful that God continually gives me the strength to open my heart to new friendships knowing our time together is short.  I've wondered so many times if it would be easier to just not get close.  To not let my heart grow attached in a way only genuine friendship allows.  But over and over I'm flooded with all the richness these friendships bring to my life.  I cannot imagine walking through the struggles of life without the friends that God has blessed me with.  And so I put my heart on the line again and again and let the pain of the goodbye be a reminder of all that the friendship has brought into my life.

 

 

Veronica ~ I'm still not sure how I'm going to make it through each day without you here. Your friendship is such a cherished blessing! I still remember the first time we met ~ you were big & pregnant, I was sick & pregnant and we were gettin' our bunco on. You will forever be my valley girl mexican chica! Our friendship is effortless and I'm so so grateful for each day we got to walk this journey together. I'm so excited for this amazing opportunity God has blessed your family with and I can't wait to hear all about life for you back in Cali! It's not "goodbye", its "see you later" right?!

 

I've given up on the idea of ever getting better at goodbye.  I'm not good at it.  It hurts so bad.  But there is good in it ~ and today I'm going to take time to thank the Lord for all the amazing ways this friendship has blessed me.  Cherished memories and lots of them!

 

 

 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ~





Unglued

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner, along with several other great bloggers, is doing a series called Build 'em Up where every other Tuesday they present a topic and you can link up with the intention of encouraging & building each other up!  Such a great idea and it has been a great encouragement to me!!  Today's topic is "unglued moments".  I feel almost shamefully qualified to chat about this one...

 

A few years ago, we had two boys and they were both in school and I thought I had this whole mommy thing down. (key words being "i thought". ha!)  I had a system that kept the house clean, laundry done, etc so we thought....let's have another baby.  And after a bit of struggle we found out we were expecting our 3rd baby!!  We were thrilled!!  Then Dylan was born and we were over the moon in love with him!  But what I didn't expect was how overwhelmed I would feel adding a 3rd little person to the family.  Baby #3 derailed.my.train.  In a huge way!  And then less than a year later God called us to homeschooling.  Say wha?!  Right now Lord?!  And His reply was yes. now.  And so we jumped into that world too!

 

i know. i know.  how could i ever come unglued w/ those sweet faces?!!

 

Fast forward to today.....I have 3 amazing healthy boys.  They each have birthdays coming soon and will be 12, 8, & 2.  And I homeschool the older two while trying to keep the baby from destroying himself or the house.  I feel I do a pretty good job at keeping him in one piece but the house??  Not so much.  My house has never been so disorganized.  And I don't do well with the lack of organization.  I don't handle messy very well.  Add in some really intense life circumstances that we're facing right now and it is a recipe for an overwhelmed mommy!  Unfortunately, when the house is messy and I'm overwhelmed, I tend to come "unglued".  Hardly my finest moments for sure.  I always feel so awful after losing my patience and blowing up. 

 

I'm slowly learning some ways to help me handle those "unglued" moments.  I'm far from avoiding those not so pretty moments all together, which I hate, but the following things do help me to control it more often!

 

**Quiet time ~ a few months ago, I decided enough was enough.  I desperately needed time with the Lord each day and I wasn't finding that time consistently during the day or in the evenings.  So I began getting up earlier so that I would have that time.  It has been a game changer!  It just gets my day off to a positive start!  It definitely doesn't change the pressures of each day but it helps me to maintain perspective and it keeps the Lord and His word in my heart & mind all day!

 

**Prayer ~ there are A LOT of times that all I can manage is a "Jesus where are you??  Help!!!"  But even that quick desperate prayer when I feel myself coming unglued is a difference maker! 

 

**Communication ~ I've learned with the older boys, if i can calmly communicate to them that they are really pressing my patience or that the baby's behavior is overwhelming me before I lose control, they typically will try to do what they can to help.  They are certainly still kids and it doesn't always happen that way, but it does help sometimes! 

 

I'm so blessed by him! and he loves me even through all of my unglued craziness!

 

Same goes with John ~ why is is that the one person we love so much tends to be the one that we take out all of our frustration on?!  I used to think I had to put a smile on my face and pretend like the day had been perfect and all was well when he walked through the door each evening.  But then the tension of the day that I was ignoring and hiding behind a smile would bubble over and I'd come unglued with him. =(  I've learned that if I can let him know that I'm having an overwhelming day or that I'm struggling to hold it together, then he can try to work with me to help me avoid coming unglued.  Unfortunately, I'm not perfect and I still struggle with snapping at him and taking out frustrations from the day on him, but the communication does help!

 

**Girlfriends ~ having a close few friends that I can call on those particularly rough days and know that they will encourage me, pray for me, help me to laugh about the craziness is priceless!  And I love being that for my friends too!!  We're in this whole mommy & wife thing together!! 

 

 

Also??  Taking time to get away sometimes for coffee with a friend, a girls night out, pedicures with a girlfriend, lounging by the pool....time to laugh, cry, chat and just be us outside of our roles as mommy's and wives is so so so important!!

 

I wish I could say that all of these things have eliminated my "unglued" moments, but that would be a total lie!  These things have helped me to maintain control sometimes though and for that I'm thankful! 

 

Be sure to head over to Kelly's Korner and be encouraged!!  We're not in this whole life thing alone!!  And please do comment and share how you handle your "unglued" moments ~ I'd love to hear from you!!

 

 

 

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

~1 Peter 1:13~

Menu Monday

Last week was rough.  Just emotionally and mentally draining and I've been battling horrible headaches for a few days now.  No fun!  But I'm thankful for a new week and I'm determined to make it better than last!!  A couple of this weeks meals are repeats from last week that didn't happen ~ flexibility is key for my sanity!! ;)

 

*Monday ~ Hobo Dinners (this is one John learned in boy scouts and he likes to do it with the boys every once in a while! Its basically ground beef, carrots & potatoes cooked in foil pouches!) =)

 

*Tuesday ~ Maple Mustard Chicken w/ Broccoli

 

*Wednesday ~ We'll be at a friends house to celebrate a birthday!

 

*Thursday ~ Chicken Enchilada Stew w/ Cornbread

 

*Friday ~ Pecan Crusted Chicken w/ Green Beans (I'm including this recipe below!)

 

*Saturday ~ Roasted Sausage & Veggies

 

*Sunday ~ Grill Hotdogs & Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob & Baked Beans

 

 

The pecan crusted chicken is not one that I found online but I think it is share worthy!  Super easy and you could easily use a different nut instead of pecans!!

 

1/2 C. spicy brown mustard

2 tbsp raw organic honey (or whatever you have!)

1 C. pecans, crushed

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

sea salt (optional)

 

*Preheat the oven to 350. 

*In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together the mustard and honey.

*Toss the pecans into a food processor and pulse until the nuts are finely chopped.  Pour them into a large bowl and set aside.

*Using a paper towel, remove any excess moisture from the outside of the chicken breasts.

*Taking one chicken breast at a time, roll the chicken in the honey/mustard mix and coat on both sides.

*Transfer coated chicken into the chopped pecans and again cover both sides.

*Place the crusted chicken into a greased glass baking dish and sprinkle each breast with just a little sea salt if desired.

*Bake 45 minutes or until juices run clear.

 

You could also try coating the chicken with bbq sauce, or ranch or whatever other sauce you might like!!  Super simple and tasty!!

 

Hope everyone has a great week!!  I'm loving the cooler temps and planning to soak it up because all too soon the heat & humidity will take over!!

 

 

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

~Isaiah 12:2~

Paleo(ish) Tips & Tricks

 

 

 

Like I shared on Monday's menu post, I'm not super strict about Paleo.  I don't have a manual open double checking what I can and can't eat.  But here are a few of the things I've done/do to improve my nutrition habits....

 

*I've cut grains....no bread, no pasta, no oats, etc.  I do have rice very occasionally when I'm really needing something heavier but by occasionally I mean I've had it maybe twice in the last couple of months! 

 

*I go for organic and as few ingredients as possible when shopping for food.  I aim for primarily fresh or frozen fruits & veggies.  I found a local farm where i can get fresh eggs & local honey.  When buying things that aren't fresh I aim for a product with as few ingredients as possible!  I like to be able to pronounce each ingredient and know what each of them are w/o tons of research! ;) 

 

*We tried coconut oil and fell in love!!  We use it for every and anything!  We also use olive oil but primarily coconut oil!!

 

Those are a few of the major changes we've made!  With that said, there are still times that I break away from these norms!  I've consumed bread one time and pasta one time since I started this journey and it was enough that I won't be doing that again for a long while!!  I felt awful!  :/  And yes, i still occasionally use processed and/or non organic food and its okay!  But I strive for our norm to be different than that!

 

A couple of other little things that have made this easier for me....

 

*Marinades ~ We eat alot of chicken.  I CANNOT stand bland, ick chicken.  So, marinades are my boyfriends. ;)  There are lots of recipes out there for marinades and we use them!  We also use McCormick Grill Mates marinade packets.  There are tons of flavors!! We've tried 3 or 4 of them and loved most of them!!  Quick and easy makes this mama happy!

 

 

*Presentation ~ Lunch is probably the most challenging meal of the day for me!  Basically all of the foods that my kids eat for lunches are no-no's for me now, so I've had to learn ways to make lunch easier.  I do ALOT of salads and mix it up.  Different proteins, different fruits & veggies, different dressings. Kelly over at Kellys Korner actually did a post about salads here.  Check it out ~ lots of conversation in the comments about different ways to make salads!!  But mostly?  Make it look pretty!!  For me, it makes the process of preparing my lunch more fun and its more fun to eat when it looks pretty!!  Get creative and have a good time making those veggies look pretty!! =)

 

this was  my lunch one day.  nothing fancy...deli meat, a little cheese, tomatoes, olives, yellow pepper, cucumber & a little honey mustard.  simple stuff that i made look pretty!

 

*Snacks ~ I struggled with snacking at first because I felt like there just weren't any quick, easy snacks i could grab.  I'm a busy wife and mom and sometimes I don't have lots of time to "make" a snack!  So here are a few of the things that I've found make quick & easy snacks....

 

these bars are SO good and have simple ingredients.  and it doesn't get any easier than grab-n-go!!

i make trail mix.  quick & easy!  and sometimes I'll throw in some dark chocolate for a special treat!! =)

cheese sticks are super easy!  i love greek yogurt!!  we like to mix some honey & pecans into plain greek yogurt ~ delish!!  I also love vanilla greek yogurt!!

 

Strict and stressed is not for me!!  I do my best to put the best into my body and I'm seeing significant results!  Like i mentioned earlier, I've consumed bread one time and pasta one time and i was so foggy headed, had the worst headache and just felt like crap.  I was skeptical when i first started, I'll admit!  But I'm finding ways to make this lifestyle work for me! 

 

Questions??  Please ask!!  I'm no expert for sure but I'm happy to share what little experience I have with this!  What are some of your favorite snacks??  Or tips/tricks for making healthy eating work for you??  I'd love to hear from you!!

 

 

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but  not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

~2 Corinthians 4:8-9~



The Many Faces of Papa

Remember when I posted about Dylan meeting my Dad for the first time here?  Ever since then??  Every man that has a beard is Papa.  It is hilarious and has made for a couple of semi awkward moments when he insists that a random man in public is Papa!  Ha!  But the best ones that have made us laugh so hard are random characters in books or people on tv. 

 

Here is my Dad w/ the boys....

 



 

And here are just a few of the many "faces of Papa".....

 

Jerry Jenkins ~ one of the authors of the Left Behind series. ha!!

Ki-Adi-Mundi from Star Wars ~ LOL!!

don't even know this guys name but he's on pawn stars from time to time!



 

This little dude cracks us up!!  He was only 14 months old when he met his Papa but my Dad sure made an impression and our little guy LOVES his Papa and looks for him in every face with a beard! We look forward to the next time we get to see & spend time with his real Papa!!

(hint hint papa & grama terry!!  you need to come check out the beaches while you have a free place to stay!!) ;)

 

**side note...Dylan walked up while i was doing this post and did some kind of happy dance while chanting papa when he saw all of the pictures....hahaha!!!**

 

 

....Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

~John 16:22~



Trust or Fear?

"I am taking care of you.  Trust me at all times.  Trust me in all circumstances."

 

"a time for everything and everything in its time"

 

"Stop trying to work things out before their times have come."

 

Just a few quotes from my devotional this morning.  Okay Lord, I'm listening!! =)

 

We received some news last week that was long prayed for and long awaited.  And its big....like...life altering big.  But it has brought on more waiting.  Waiting for more answers that will confirm which direction our future is going in.  There some huge changes coming for our family in the next couple of months, and this news confirmed that.  But what those changes are?!  We don't know yet.  AHHHH!!! 

.

 

 

We don't know where we will be living or what job, if any, my hubby will have but what we do know??  That God is at work here and has been every step of the way over the last few years.  The enemy's attacks are so strong right now.  Crazy strong and constant.  But as John and I laid in bed last night talking, i was reminded of two very special times in this journey that were so relevant at the time but also brought me so much clarity and comfort yesterday as i struggled to hand it all over to the Lord.  Struggled to trust and rest in knowing that God didn't change because of any news, or change, or earthly frustration.  None of this is a surprise to Him and He's got this!! 

 

One of those times was one day when i had stopped in our church office to take care of some ministry business and i had really been struggling with our situation.  I was tired and emotionally worn and one of our pastors picked up on it.  So we chatted a few minutes, i cried a lot (cause that's what i do), he prayed over me and then he told me the following....

 

Aubrey, i want you to remember that when Satan's attacks are strongest, you can be assured that God is at work in a big way in you and/or your family's life.  There is a spiritual realm that we don't see but the devil does....he sees God at work and he does the only thing he can.  He tries to rob us of peace.  He tries to invoke fear and anxiety.  Don't let him win.  God is at work in a mighty way in your family & situation, Aubrey.  Don't let Satan rob you of your peace. 

Whoa. 

 

The other time was talking with another pastor/friend.  And she shared about a time in her past when she struggled alot like i was/am to understand what God was doing.  And she shared about a sermon she vividly remembers during that time when the pastor speaking said....
 

Sometimes God takes things away from us because He has something so much better and we would never give up what we have now on our own to move into what He has for us.

Whoa.

 

Both of those things were so relevant at the time they were shared with me.  And they brought so much peace at the time.  But yesterday??  The wrecked me in the best way because God used them to bring clarity to what we're facing right now.  To remind me that His ways are not my ways and to just hold on.  Just keep trusting that He has this. 

 

I literally don't know what our lives will look like in a few short months other than knowing that it will not be what it looks like right now.  The unknowns are endless.  The questions in my mind relentless.  But minute by minute, hour by hour, I will choose to trust in Jesus and his promises.  I will not let Satan win this battle ~ I will be joyful in knowing that while the weight of this seems too much to bear, its never too much for the Lord.  He's got me.  He's got my family.  And He will never forsake us!

 

 

 

We would appreciate your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks as we wait.  And then as we move into whatever it is that Gods plans for our future are!

 

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

~Proverbs 3:5&6~



Menu Monday

My menu planning efforts have definitely been lacking the last couple of weeks so I'm excited to try some new recipes this week!  Here's what will be on our dinner table for the week...

 

Monday ~ Meatballs w/ Spaghetti Sauce & Green Beans

 

Tuesday ~ Enchilada Chicken Stew w/ Cornbread

 

Wednesday ~ Lemon Poppy Seed Baked Chicken over Rice (or Spinach for me!) w/ Strawberries

 

Thursday ~ Maple Mustard Chicken w/ Broccoli

 

Friday ~ Chicken Fajitas

 

Saturday ~ Breakfast for dinner!

 

Sunday ~ Grilled Burgers & Hotdogs w/ Corn on the Cob & Baked Beans

 

 

I get a lot of questions about Paleo and how I make it work.  I have to say that it seemed so overwhelming to think about at first and I had no idea how I was going to do it.  "What is my family going to eat??"  "I don't have time to make something for me and something different for them!" These were just a couple of the many questions that went through my mind.  But I knew I wanted the results that my eating a paleo-like diet could bring and so i just jumped in and decided to figure it out as I go.

 

The biggest thing for me has been to find what works best for my family!  For us, I don't make separate meals at dinner, but I do make cornbread for the rest of my family to go with the stew, or get tortillas/taco shells for everyone else to use on taco & fajita nights, etc.  I "accessorize" dinner differently for the family some nights.  Another example is this week when I make the lemon poppy seed chicken, the boys will be eating it with rice while John and I will have our chicken over fresh spinach. And sometimes i stretch the boundaries of "Paleo" a little to make it fit me & my circumstances better.  What do I mean?  Well, every once in a while i use Campbell's cream of chicken or mushroom soups. Or cream cheese. Or other processed convenience ingredients. {gasp!}  Would that fall into the Paleo list of approved foods? Nope!  But the world doesn't end either!  The key words here are "every once in a while".  It's not everyday!  This isn't about being strict and stressed, but about making my norm healthier and better!  I'm planning on doing a post later this week about some tips & tricks that have made all of this a little easier for me, so check back!!

 

I'm hardly an expert on paleo or healthy eating...quite the opposite actually!  I'm just a normal busy mommy & wife trying to make this healthier way of eating work for me and I love that I get to share some of what works here so that it can hopefully help someone else too!!

 

Happy Monday!!

 

 



Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

~Galatians 6:9~