what i meant to say

recently we ran into some friends that we haven't seen in a couple of years.

it was one of those moments that afterwards you think back on and you wish you could totally redo. 

i've been thinking about it, not obsessing over it, but just mulling it over, on how this exchange could have been different.  

you know how it is when you haven't seen someone in a while.

there is a lot that happens in two plus years.

how in the world do you sum it up in a 10 minute conversation?

here's how the exchange went:

friend: "so, what have you guys been up to?"

me: "oh you know, not a whole lot. mike works a few jobs & i stay home with eli."

there was a little more to it than that, but i'm gonna stop right here because i am just so ashamed by this!

 did you read my response?

what kind of pathetic answer is that?

redo, please???

here's a little tidbit about me:

i'm not always such a quick thinker.

my best friend and i used to joke about how i couldn't think on my feet.

it was better if i was sitting.  

or give me a few days and maybe i could generate a good comeback.

so, since i've had some time to think (and i've been doing it sitting down), i've thought of a few things that i might say instead. 

"so, what have you guys been up to?"

~experiencing the Lord's provision, His grace & mercy, His undying love and His wonderful goodness

~championing families in our church & teaching kids to treasure Jesus

~creating memories with our little family of 3

~watching in absolute wonder as our little boy grows right before our eyes

~overcoming obstacles 

~learning to let go of what others might think

~taking moments to just be still

yeah, i think that's a much better summary.

maybe they will read this and see that we really aren't boring, pathetic people?

_______________________________________________

what have you been up to?

 

summer bucket list '13: the zoo

we can finally cross an item off of our bucket list this summer.

{sure, summer is almost half over, but technically we have until september 21, right?}

last week we hit up the national zoo in DC.

what a great trip!

we went with one of my best friends, her 2 kids, niece & nephew & a family friend of theirs.

she was a brave woman in my book to venture out in the city with 5 kids in the 90+ degree weather, taking the zoo by storm!

yeah, 90+degree weather, you read it right.

it was melt-your-face-off hot.

surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. 

between the shade, the indoor enclosures & misters, we survived & had a very enjoyable time.

i highly recommend checking out the zoo.
best part? it's free.
and in eli's opinion, definitely worth the "choo choo" ride to get there!

what's your favorite part of the zoo?

what's for dinner?

since we started our journey to a healthier lifestyle, i have made a few changes in my diet. i am a lover of the carbs, but this was one of the first things that had to go.  

goodbye bread, goodbye bagels, goodbye cereal, goodbye pasta. 

 that's all well and good for some people, but in this house, pasta is a staple.  it is usually my go-to meal when i don't know what to make for dinner. (it's also one of the few things that my husband loves).  

but i stumbled across this recipe & friends, we are back in business.

hubby can still enjoy his pasta, with lots of added veggies, and i can maintain my carb-free meal plan.

(well, not carb-free, more like less carb....still gotta have a donut every once in awhile...on cheat days of course!)

it does require a few more dishes, however, it is worth it because it is really delicious!

{this would also be great if you are gluten free!}

i typically use grape tomatoes when making pasta dishes, but this was the only tomato i had on hand at the time.  i just love the combination of grape tomatoes and parmesan cheese!

since i'm preparing this portion of the dish for just me, i use one small zucchini.

and because mike is having pasta we throw in some peppers as well.

our favorites are red, yellow & orange.

then to top it off, i add spinach and of course, parm cheese because you know, everything is better with cheese.
(unless you are my husband...weirdo)

i have made this once with sausage and once without, but we are a turkey sausage family if we eat sausage.
it's fantastic either way.


so there you go. 
if you're looking for something new to try, looking to cut some carbs, or just a way to boost your veggie intake, find your friends with the abundance of zucchini and invite them over for dinner!

enjoy!