Spicy Magnolia

Foresight

Christmas morning 1988 wasn’t the Christmas I’d laid in bed awake envisioning with anticipation the night before. Mid-morning Mac ran into Gaga’s kitchen with tears streaming down his face and his hand holding the back of his head. The next thing I knew, my parents swiftly loaded him into the car with blood soaked towels pressed up against an inches-long deep wound, and Mac's tears transformed into wails and screams. He and my cousin had been jumping on the couch and Mac fell backward landing perfectly on the sharp rim of the coffee table, cutting his head open. As I watched the car drive away from the large living room window, I instantly was sick to my stomach. The blood didn't make me queasy, but both the knowledge of my brother in pain and the unknown of what he was going through without me being there, put my stomach in all sorts of knotted contortions. For hours until he returned I laid on the bathroom floor next to the toilet. It was a memorable Christmas, of sorts.

Since then, I have on occasion felt that same bundle of nerves twist around in my stomach because of something Mac was going through. It usually strikes when I'm not with him but want to ever-so-badly be there. While wanting to be there to calm or help him, oddly,the reverse happens: he calms me.

So on Easter night, although so excited I could hardly stand it, I found myself once again knotted and twisted.

My brother was getting ready to see his babies.

And I so badly wanted to be there. To celebrate. To share in the moment. To cheer him on. And to be calmed. The nervous excitement of waiting on pins and needles while Julie delivered those precious babies she's carried for nine months was making my insides bounce and twist. (I recognize I have no legs to stand on talking about my insides as I’m writing about a birth <grin>!) Even after Mac texted with the announcement of their healthy births, I was awake most of the night awaiting more news and pictures.

We are ever so grateful these little ones remained tucked in the center of Julie held by God's hands for as long as they did. Together they totaled over 13 pounds and they didn't have to go into the NICU! Julie should be awarded something great in my book.

I am a doubly blessed aunt that I get to introduce Wynn Law and Mays "Maysie" DeLaddy!

This man, one of my best friends, is a daddy.

My parents flew up to meet their new grandbabies a few days later. I know I have nearly tipped over the edge to obnoxiousness for how much I text Mac asking for news and pictures. He might very well say I’ve already arrived. I have no shame.

Popsie and Mees in heaven.

At two and a half weeks. Pure bundles of love!

I foresee hours of make-believe time playing house, school, airports and restaurants for these two. Secrets between just the two of them that will drive their parents bonkers. Times of rubbing each other the wrong way because they know just the right thing to do and say to get under each other’s skin. I foresee lots of laughter and teasing. One asking the other…pleading with the other…to include them in hang-out times with friends. Tickle times that get out of control because Wynn didn’t know his own strength. At least a couple of times when Maysie wins an Indian-leg wrestling match that she can hold over his head for years to come. I foresee looks across the room that acknowledge how the other is feeling. Wynn coming to Maysie’s defense. Maysie coming to Wynn’s defense. Wynn cheering for Maysie. Maysie cheering for Wynn. Wynn rolling his eyes at Maysie because she’s exhausted her word count for the day, and especially because it was laced with so much emotional and relational info it makes his head want to explode. But he’ll have the patience to listen. And Maysie will be the utmost protector of Wynn, a living guard between girls and her brother. They’ll share a bond of memory and family unlike that of any other. There will be moments of sheer adoration and sheer annoyance. Moments of affection powerful enough to make them feel like they will burst. And from time to time, there will be an anxiously-wrought stomach on behalf of the other, wanting to rush to the other’s side to help, support, to simply be in the other’s presence.

All because of love.

Gathered Together

Kensington Jane is one dearly loved little girl.

Eleven of us gathered around her last weekend. Her Papa and Nana arrived from Virginia. Her Aunt Julie and Uncle Mac from Washington D.C. Popsie flew in from Florida. Mees drove from San Antonio. Jillie and Haddie trekked down I-35. And then there was her Mommy, her Daddy and her big brother. It was a dedication weekend of sorts, something informal not at church, but in our home. Matt and I declared our ongoing commitment to raise Kensie in complete and utter dependence upon her Creator to help us show her His unfathomable love, that she may also come to love Jesus with her whole heart. Those who joined with us also care about the outcome of her faith and promised to pray for her and help us as parents to follow through with our pledge (‘cause we’re gonna need all the help we can get!).

These two were ready for the festivities to begin Friday evening! I can’t thank Ed and Ruth enough for taking them off my hands Friday morning so I could cook and get the last minute things in order. My mind would have been lost somewhere between the bowl of cooked mushrooms and the beaten egg and milk mixture. They’re cute, but don’t we all know they have a very keen way of knowing it’s a day Momma has lots to do, and they know how to add a bit of somethin’-somethin’ to the day…like A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E.

 

We had a scrumptious dinner of salpicon (I’ll have to post the recipe soon), guacamole, and chile con queso. My mouth still waters thinking about it. There are two things to note about that evening. First, my dad tucked Brennan into bed at 8 p.m. We didn’t see him emerge from the bedroom until a couple hours later. And secondly, at 2 a.m., we were awakened by panicked cries and the grossest aftermath of throwing up I have yet to deal with. I don’t have a sensitive gag reflux, but that night, boo-ya! It wasn’t the loveliest all-nighter I’ve pulled, but I did get to hold my boy throughout the ordeal.

Saturday we ventured to College Station for the Texas A&M vs. Arkansas football game. It seemed Brennan was doing well since he was once again, running all around, so with our rain gear in tow, we ventured to Aggieland. What a blast! There was only about a fifteen minute consistent rain, but other than that, we were able to enjoy the game. Brennan covered his ears much of the time, not liking the boisterous cheers or the regular cannon fires. But Kensie didn’t blink an eye. As long as she had the bucket of popcorn in front of her, she was one happy, crowd-lovin’ girl.

Jillie and Haddie met up with us later Saturday night for dinner at Mighty Fine. It’s an incredible gift to look down the table at the ten other people seated next to you, realizing they all made this trek to be there for you, for your family, for your little girl. The laughter and even the tears shared among this group are treasured. And note to self: for the sake of my self-esteem, there should be very few times in life when Jill and Mac should be together in my presence; they have too similar senses of humor for my liking, particularly when it’s at my expense <grin>.

And then we arrive to Sunday. I wish I had words to describe my overflow of joy and gratitude. Brennan and Kensie have been gifted a legacy of people who follow and love Jesus, and who are are on their knees regularly on his and her behalf. Some of our family couldn’t make it, but they called, sent emails and prayers. They were here and a part of this occasion, too.

In three different cars, we ventured to church, ready to be there on time (a miracle with 11 people!) and stand together in worship. Then bless his heart, Brennan threw up again all over Papa and Nana’s car half way there.

Love: Ed and Ruth’s graciousness at the now horrible stench and grossness all over their car. Love: Ruth’s gentle hands cleaning up my son with baby wipes. Love: My daddy and momma’s willingness to take Brennan home, clean him up and care for him. Love: for the rest of our guests to just go with the flow and not complain that they may get the sick cooties in forty-eight hours (which, another miracle: no one did!).

It took a good twenty minutes for me to not feel like a panicked wreck. Another thing to note about this weekend: Kensie didn’t like Mac. Wouldn’t go to him. Pulled away and shook her head. This is unprecedented! And Julie jumped for joy that it was the first baby that didn’t like him, and instead went directly into her arms. After much coaxing, Kensie finally went to my brother…for just enough time to capture this shot before she literally lunged to my arms.

We all made it home to a feast! Jillie made us a sausage and egg casserole. I made this and had a crepe bar.

If we’d let people, they would have taken naps right then and there, but we circled around our living room instead, to have a time of sharing and prayer for Kensie. The two older kiddos bounded up the stairs and played. Kensie scooted on the floor in between our feet playing with anything along the way. And the rest of us shared what God put on our hearts to pray for this precious gift of a girl.

I’d asked people to pray about a specific virtue or character trait for Kensie. They could write a prayer, just share, or give a symbolic gift that represented what the Lord led them to pray over her. I couldn’t wait to see what God came up with for His girl!

Kindness

Patience

Humility

Strength, Dignity, and the Ability to Laugh at the Days to Come

Treasured Gift

Joy

Sense of Humor

Perseverance

Courage

A Pure Heart

It was wonderfully overwhelming! Flabbergasting in a most special way. And very humbling to see the outpouring of love from our family and the abundant grace of our God throughout the entire weekend! One blessing after another He has given to us by each person seated in that room.

What words do you have as one by one, each person shared their prayers on behalf of your little girl? What words do you have as you watch tears flow because the emotion and beauty of the moment is so pure and tender and too much to take? What words do you have as you fall before a God who can be the Only One to instill these God-originated, God-breathed, God-like traits into your little girl? What words do you have when you recognize how far you fall short in even trying to be an example to her of these virtues let alone teach her what they are? What words do you have as you look around the room and recognize how each have been faithful to Jesus in spite of so many obstacles that could bring them down and turn away? What words do you have when you realize that these intercessions do not fall on deaf ears, but they will linger in eternity and bring such pleasure to the One who listens and acts? What words do you have but to acclaim His goodness, His faithfulness?

My heart is still so tender thinking about that sacred weekend. Tears fall easily out of such gratitude and joy.

Oh, merciful Lord, you are so, so good! In that room represented so many stories of your faithfulness to us, your goodness, and even in this week, so many answered prayers that I don’t have time to share in this post. But OH, Lord, I can only pause in the middle of this post and say ‘thank you’. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Only You. Only You. We are so grateful for each person in that room who was there and for the ones who longed to be here but couldn’t. I am a blubbering mess, Jesus. Oh, You are so worthy of praise. Thank you for a treasured weekend of memories, laughter, shared tears, prayers that don’t fall deaf on your ears. You hear. You know. You see. And you were with us in every aspect of our weekend, and I thank you.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your Name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.

Psalm 89:15-16

Traveling Down Memory Lane: February

Who wants to travel down memory lane with me?

You might ask, “How far back?”

February.

February?!

Yep, February. Months ago. When it was still chilly outside and we were covering our bodies with sweat shirts, pants and tights. February: the month of the Super Bowl. February: the month of Valentine’s Day.

So are you up for it?

Ready or not, here we go.

Super Bowl Sunday. Our five year old television broke before Christmas and we have yet to replace it. Much to my amazement, it hasn’t been missed. Lest you think we are completely insane or “holier than though”, we still have the computer in which we can grab a few of our favorite shows and even watch sports. Which back in February, the main televised event was the Super Bowl. Granted, the football looked a wee bit tiny, but we didn’t have to squint too hard. I busted out the chips and guacamole and ordered pizza.

Brother and sister. A rare moment in which 1) both were looking at the camera; 2) both were happy; 3) and Brennan was smiling. He thinks it’s pretty cool to make angry faces at the camera ever since we played this game.

One of our favorite past times: tea time. Rarely does it take place in our bedroom closet as pictured here, but as I was getting dressed one morning, this is where we ended up camping out for almost an hour drinking ‘tea’ (water) and eating cupcakes. Even Molly joined us.

Surprise! On a stay-at-home-in-our-PJs day, we decided to load up the car and surprise Matt at work with a treat: cake balls! Let it be noted that I didn’t parade myself in the Dell parking lot in my PJs; I quickly threw on clothes for the outing.

On our way down to San Antonio to visit Mees for a weekend, we needed to stop mid-way to feed baby Kensie, and what better place to make a pit-stop than Dairy Queen? I believe that was a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard, and he ate every bite.

A small ball scared her. A big ball scared her today. And well, she’s still not used to my parents’ dogs. She thinks everything is out to get her, I guess. What’s funny is she really doesn’t cry, but a loud “Ahhhh!” exudes from her mouth accompanied by a very concerned look on her face.

This was taken when I was going to the bathroom. I try to sneak in a little quiet reading time every now and then, and I’ll be honest, sometimes I’ll use the “Mommy really needs to go to the bathroom” excuse to grab that moment and draw it out as long as possible. But as all you momma’s know: you’re not alone even when in the bathroom. This picture is case in point with my little guy who not only shut the door behind him to communicate to me I’m stuck with him, but he also discovered the use of the door stoppers as visual aids while singing a song about monkeys falling off the bed.

I guess I’ll rob him of some privacy too and also embarrass him while I’m at it. This little guy came through potty training with flying colors in January! To this day, he still takes books in with him to read.

Matchy-matchy.

Parked in front of church one Sunday was this van. It was very comical to me.

Despite my love for routine and structure, the need to be spontaneous and whimsical wins the day occasionally. On this particular morning, Brennan joined Matt at Dell for about an hour to hang out at “Daddy’s work”. When Kensie Jane and I picked him up, the three of us got a little side tracked and randomly spent an hour in the Dell parking lot hanging out in the car talking. The kids and I all sat in the front seats chatting away, playing with all the car buttons. To this day, Brennan will say, “Let’s talk, Momma,” and climb in the front seat…moments I want to take advantage of when the opportunity allows. Then instead of heading to the grocery store, we ventured our way to the bookstore. Because if you give Brennan a choice between the playground or the bookstore, chances are he’ll pick the bookstore. It’s where he discovered the awesomeness of pin art.

I am savoring this season of Tuesday and Thursday mornings with my Little Roo. It’s the time she and I have to spend together while Brennan is at his school. Sometimes we play with other friends, run errands, and have lunch dates. But most of the time, we find quiet spots and hang out together. Brennan’s school has a lovely prayer garden we escape to every now and then.

Kensington’s first airplane ride! Matt and Brennan sent us girls on our merry way to North Carolina to visit my treasured friend, Corrie. I should tell you more stories about her; we have some classics. Before her precious family heads overseas to Spain, we took advantage of a long weekend together.

Corrie’s boys, Guy and Simi, were great hosts and took care of Kensie as if she was their own sister! It was very much a little vacation for me since Kensie was still immobile and a good traveler. Next time, Brennan must come because all of these boys would be best buddies! Guy and Brennan have a lot in common.

I really love these girls. Very, very much.

Brennan and Matt had a blast together while we girls were away. Lots of playground time, wrestling, hikes, sleeping together. They are good pals. Matt took this picture when they were on a hike with Molly. It’s a favorite of mine.

I hope that traveling down memory lane wasn’t too brutal. It brought smiles to my face, but well, that’s a given. Maybe if you’re up for it, I’ll tackle March.

What’s your vote on that?

 

My Peeps

Happy Thanksgiving week, dear ones! It’s been way too long since I’ve hopped on here to post somethin’. What better way to give a little update than through some pictures? And an update is sorely needed.

Here are my peeps.

Bare with me as I travel back in time nearly a whole month to Halloween. Pitifully delayed these are!

It took Brennan awhile to warm up to the idea of his costume, refusing to put it on for costume day at his school. But a few nights before Trick-or-Treating, this is what ensued:

You got a glimpse of Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger in the last post, but here is his trusty sidekick, Miss Lady Bug, who snoozed the whole time we were collecting our goodies around the block with some of our best buds.

 

Tummy time is never a favorite, but she sure gives some of her best poses.

Seeing as how Texas has been in a disastrous drought for the past year, we take advantage of any day where there’s a hint of rain or a slight drizzle. On the way home from church a few weeks ago, it was overcast and sprinkling off and on, which made us want to hunker down as a family with hot chocolate (Brennan calls this “coffee”), good books, football playing in the background, and some lengthy afternoon naps. We picked up our “coffee” on the way home and sat outside talking and playing with the umbrellas.

Brennan has become quite the cowboy and lover of horses; for his birthday, he’s asking for that magnificent creature. Case in point:

This is not the best picture, but one I treasure. After a rough day that I was nearing pulling my hair out, I attempted to kill time by loading the kids in the car to run an errand.  Wearing his cowboy hat, Brennan pleaded, “Momma, momma, put your hat on, too!” Mind you, it’s my gardening hat, but the sheer delight on his face was enough to put a smile on mine and put me at ease. After all, I am his “Jessie girl”.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we met my dear friend, Sara, and her precious kiddos, Aaron and Abby, at Waco’s children’s museum. She has a lot more pictures, but I snagged just one. We had the best time meeting up again after our first rendezvous a year ago! What a great example of how the Internet can be used for good when you meet precious friends like Sara.

I had such high hopes for this picture. Brennan looked so handsome and Kensington was going to wear her beautiful smocked dress to match. This is the only shot I got because five minutes later, Brennan was in tears after throwing up all on the carpet and his shirt, commencing the seven day battle with a nasty stomach virus last week. Maybe next time.

Look at this kid! He looks huge! Recently, Matt and I were going through pictures of Brennan taken back in the spring and mourning how overnight, he changed from a baby to a little man. He made this “nest” pretending to be a baby bird and discovered it made a comfortable recliner.

 

Ever since his last horse ride, Brennan asks incessantly to ride a horse. Matt took the kiddos to Kiddie Acres last weekend where Brennan rode Mary the Horse. He looks like a natural!

My beautiful Kensie Jane in a lovely dress from her Aunt Kimberly.

Today was my precious Momma’s birthday! We met her in Dripping Springs and picnicked together. It was a bit chaotic with the high winds, two little ones, and an off-and-on stressed momma of those two, but what a delight and gift it was to be with her on her special day! One of the joys was hearing Brennan sing “Happy Birthday” all the way through on his own for the first time and his excitement writing ‘words’ in her card. We just had to bring home the nest he made <grin>.

In the likelihood that I won’t be on here again before Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and yours! Despite the propensity to be harried this time of year, may we together be renewed in the simple delights of the day and filled with grateful hearts. Never in my wildest dreams could I fathom I’d be gifted with these precious peeps.

Thankful,

 

Don’t Even

Don’t even get me started on how it’s June 9th already and the baby countdown widget on the right-hand sidebar is flashing in what seems like neon lights that we only have 54 more days left until blast off <hyperventilating>!

While being MIA the past few weeks, it’s not because I’ve been short on blog post ideas or in labor. Here’s a run down of the last few weeks:

• Three weeks ago, right before our family vacation, Matt had a crazy amount of work to accomplish, and we had a special visit from our friends, Eric and Kim from Colorado. These are some good, life-long, salt-of-the-earth, kinda friends. Luke is a few months younger than Brennan, and Ellie is now 6 months old. We stayed up late like the youngin’s and then crashed hard over the following days like the oldies.

• Look what my little guy left me with after plummeting his thick head into my eye as he was laying down in his bed and I was next to him. I really think I saw tweety birds. Sorry, it’s a dreadful close-up shot.

• We drove 14 hours each way (not including meal breaks) to Panama City, FL for a week at the beach with Matt’s family to celebrate his parents’ 60th birthdays. The white, soft sandy beaches with the vibrant turquoise waters have forever nixed the idea of wanting to visit the Texas Gulf Coast again. Whomever claims that Texas has a beach is seriously diminishing the value of what a beach can really live up to. Let me just say I didn’t end up with a tar-stained bathing suit after this trip.

Suffice it to say, we wouldn’t hesitate in the least to take this guy on another long road trip. We’ll see what it’s like once Skittles comes along, adding the sibling rivalry to the mix.

At first he was cautious about the ocean waters, but he braved the waves and ended up loving to jump them with his Daddy. His favorite part in both the ocean and the awesome resort-sized pool we had access to was watching Daddy imitate a dolphin. (Hopefully a separate beach post will follow shortly).

• We made it home safe and sound, welcoming the solid night’s sleep that only one’s own comfy bed can provide. And guess who came into town also from Florida? POPS! He and Mees delivered Miss Molly to us after taking care of her for the week, and what is the first kinda food any true Texan must partake of getting home? Mexican food! Chuy’s hit the spot and so did some frozen custard from Shake’s. Brennan feasted on his first hot fudge sundae.

• Before we left for Florida, we were faced with the unexpected purchase of needing to get a new car. Not only did we go looking for a “new” car the weekend we got back, our home A/C went out. We are now keenly aware that one should have two A/C units if you have a 2-story house, but ours only has one. So our home heated up to a pleasant <ahem> 90 degrees for three nights and three days. No one is counting though. It took that long to get fixed because the A/C company was so backed up over Memorial Day weekend. I didn’t know I could play the, “I have a little child and I’m pregnant” cards to get them to come out sooner.

It certainly makes you all the more thankful for A/C as the majority of the world is hotter than we are and doesn’t have it! It is a luxury. And we are beyond thankful that at the same time of purchasing a car, the A/C was only a relatively minor repair compared to the $7k we might have had to fork over for a new unit! While it was a wild few days with late nights at the dealership, we have a working A/C and a “new” mommy car! It could not have gone more smoothly, and we are so grateful.

• My birthday and Mother’s Day gift came to fruition: Matt and I had an awesome date night for dinner and the Michael Buble concert. It was one of the most entertaining concerts I’ve been to, and I think Matt would say the same thing. In fact, upon leaving, he admitted there were a number of things about Michael that helped him gain more respect in Matt’s eyes such that he would stop calling him Michael “Bubble”.

• While a lot of our summer will be spent with this cool dude at the pool,

I am trying to plan extra-fun and memorable things for the two of us to do together before Skittles’ arrival. I am a floodgate of tears and emotion when I think about the change that is about ready to pummel us. “Pummel” is a strong word, but that’s what it feels like these days. I’m. Not. Ready.

One such special event we attended last week was Thomas on Stage. He sat mesmerized through the whole thing, and I had the endearing pleasure of holding him.

• My dear friends, Leah and Cassie, threw me a surprise baby shower at Z-Tejas last week! I never expected to have a closet full of pink before Skittles’ arrival, but some precious friends who were there made sure that our little girl would be decked out with pink, purple, bows, and matchy-matchy shoes!

• This past Saturday, Brennan and I drove up to Celina to visit our good buddies, Chris, Jill, Harrison, Haddie and meet baby Hays! He’s already six weeks old, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet him while we had the chance. It was a low-key, perfectly relaxing weekend, and I was gifted with a TON of fresh green beans, squash, zucchini, onions, and broccoli from the garden. Look at this gift:

• Before leaving Dallas, Brennan and I stopped into visit one of my dearest childhood friends, Lauren, and meet her three-week old baby girl, Charlotte. Lauren’s sister, Debbie, a professional wedding photographer in the Austin area, whom I’d highly recommend, was there and shot some pictures of us that I hope to see soon.

In the meantime, let me tell any of you out there who think Brennan is a “perfect” child that he is like any other normal two-year old out there! For the first 30-45 minutes of our visit, he was in a rotten mood, wouldn’t listen to me, and I’m sure made my cheeks flush red a number of times. I finally succumbed to handing him a movie on my iPhone in a desperate attempt to visit with my gracious hosts who fixed a lovely brunch for us (Lauren’s hubby can cook!). I’m so thankful I got to see Lauren and her little girl before they move to Connecticut this summer.

Tuesday afternoon, Brennan and I rolled back into town. After one week of vacation where I intentionally tried to be off-line, and an additional week and a half of having something every night, I am finally caught up on all of our household business items and can get back to such things as blogging.

Well, don’t even get me started on the lengthy to-do list that needs to be tackled over the next fifty-four days or the emotional wreck that I am. Just let me relish the moment that I actually wrote something.

Simply trusting,

 

Tasty Treats

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of helping host a bridal shower for my good friend, Liz. She’s someone I deeply admire as I’ve witnessed her walking faithfully with Jesus through joys and heartache, waiting upon Him for His best in her life. Jesus continually is her first Love, and so it’s been with an overflow of excitement to see Him give this gift of a husband to her, in His perfect timing.

We ladies had a lot of fun at the shower. The table of gals I sat with laughed a lot. There’s nothin’ like girl time, huh? I got to know some special people better and see faces I’ve sorely missed. It was a delight!

There were a few of the girls who asked for the breakfast casserole recipes I made, so I thought I’d share with the rest of y’all, too. One was a tried-and-true recipe I’ve written about before: Spinach and Mushroom Brunch Bake. It has a great mix of flavors, and I particularly enjoy the combo of sundried tomatoes and spinach.

For the second casserole, I braved an entirely new recipe, yet it came from a cookbook of my grandmother’s that has become a mainstay: San Francisco A La Carte, The Junior League of San Francisco. It’s called Cheese Pudding, and oh, it’s nothin’ short of cheesy! I left it as a vegetarian option for the brunch, but for the casserole I made for MOPS on Monday, I added bacon. Another option if you’d like a heartier casserole is ham. Again, it’s rich and cheesy and a delectable treat. Because of that, I can guarantee my brother, Mac, and his wifey, Julie, would love it <grin>.The other thing about it that I love is that it is super, super easy!

Cheese Pudding

• 16 slices day-old white bread
• 1 pound Cheddar cheese, grated
• 6 eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (I liked to double this)
• 1/4 pound butter, melted

Butter a 2-quart casserole or soufflé dish. Remove crusts from bread and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Divide cheese and bread each into 3 portions. Layer the casserole with 1/3 of the bread, then 1/3 of the cheese, then repeat twice. Beat eggs with milk, and add all the seasonings. Slowly pour this mixture over the bread and cheese, and then pour melted butter over the top. Cover the casserole dish and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 45 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place in a pan of water and bake, uncovered, for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Pudding should puff like a soufflé and brown on top.

When I took the casserole out of the oven, it was like a beautiful soufflé, nice and puffy. Then it went caput. Should I have left it in the oven for 10 minutes with the door cracked after baking to prevent the falling, or how do you keep a soufflé from falling? That I do not know. And really, the girls could have cared less or even noticed. It was just yummy in the tummy!

Hope y’all have a great night! The skies are teasing us tonight in Austin with yellowish clouds, thunder and lightning. But we’re waiting desperately for the rain to fall. Brennan and I keep sayin’, “Bring it, Lord!”

Simply trusting,

 

For the Next Generation

 

Did y’all know that I have a second brother? That’s the best way I can describe the guy I grew up with who: is my brother’s best friend, regularly raided our refrigerator, traveled with us, spent holidays with our family, and teased me as incessantly as Mac. I think it’s the last point that qualifies him to have the honorable title of “second brother”. I was the ‘good girl’. Mac and Oscar have a track record they will work tirelessly to hide from their children. Funny, my daddy has the same thing: stories about the trouble he got into that he probably never wanted his kids to know about, but stories his kids repeatedly desire to tell a perfect stranger. I should share them some day. They’re classic! Anyway, I digress.

Oscar married his better half, Candis, in 2004. Candis is pure sweetness. I don’t know how Oscar ended up with her. Oh, I jest. I’ve got to have an avenue to which I can return some of the teasing I’ve received for nearly all of my life! By the way, the teasing from my two brothers hasn’t let up! I haven’t had the privilege of tasting the goodies Candis bakes, but the pictures I’ve seen look out of this world! And I know she’s won a few baking contests lately, confirming I need to get my hands on her treats. Oscar and Candis have three kiddos: two young boys, Asher and Ezra, and one little girl, Caris. They currently live in Phoenix, AZ and serve with Student Venture, the branch of Campus Crusade for Christ that serves among high schoolers. Oscar and Candis were personally impacted by the Lord during their youth and know the value of ministering to teenagers. They’ve seen the need to make an impact on today’s youth. They equip students by discipling them through small group Bible studies and providing ministry resources during the school year. During the summers, they also take students across the country and the world, to build upon the love God has for the nations in the students’ hearts. Their basic ministry model is called Build-Send where they win students to Christ, build them in their faith, and send them out to reach others. 

Why am I writing about Oscar and Candis? First, as a parent, I am more profoundly aware of the statistics and the unsettling issues facing the youth of today. We have our heads buried in the sand if we’re not aware of the tumultuous environment our kiddos walk in every day, or think our children won’t face those struggles themselves. I want people like Oscar and Candis who are wise; who make decisions with integrity; who respect others; who step out and do courageous things even when the rest of the world thinks what they do is absurd; who have a living and active relationship with Jesus Christ; who serve wholeheartedly to see high schoolers know Jesus’ grace and glory, His amazing power to transform their lives and help them through anything through which they’re struggling. I want people like Oscar and Candis to have an impact on Brennan and other kids during their youth. Brennan isn’t always going to look to me and his daddy for help and guidance. Prayerfully, people like Oscar and Candis will be there when the time comes to invest in Brennan, leading by example and encouraging him to make right choices.

Secondly, Oscar and Candis are transitioning from Phoenix to Boston where they have a goal “to lead a dynamic ministry team who will equip students to walk with Jesus”. As you can imagine, the cost of living is significantly higher in Massachusetts than it is in Arizona, and as Student Venture staff, Oscar and Candis not only raise all of their financial support, they need 100% of it before they can move. They are looking for prayer partners to support them in their ministry to high schoolers. They are looking for financial supporters as well.

Before I proceed, let me humbly tell you that while this blog platform is small, my heart nevertheless, is to handle the communication on here responsibly and with the utmost respect for my readers. I have come to you before asking for specific prayer for friends and highlighting significant giving opportunities for individuals, causes, and organizations I hold in high regard. There is not an individual, cause or organization that I’ve written about asking for prayer or financial support that Matt and I do not pray and/or financially support first, before bringing it to you (as well as I can remember over the last three years <grin>). This is an opportunity to support and encourage two people whom Matt and I respect and deeply love who have stepped out in faith to see high schoolers lives transformed by the love and power of Christ. They have a need, and some of you just might be the ones to help fill that need.

For those of you who have a heart for the youth for today, whose heart breaks to see all that they’re are wrestling through and know they need Hope, I’d encourage you to think about the following ways you can be moved to action as led by the Lord:

• Take time to visit Oscar and Candis’ website and read about their ministry. Send them a note of encouragement or take time to pray for them. Maybe you’d be willing to sign up to pray for them regularly, support them financially, or receive their newsletters. There are some fun pictures of their family on the website, too.
  
• If you were impacted positively by someone during your youth, or if you have children who have a special, godly mentor in their life that you are grateful to be a part of your child’s life in this season, take time to pray for them or send a note of thanks. Personally, I can’t tell you enough how thankful I am for the nursery workers who lovingly take care of Brennan each week! And I know several of you serving in youth ministry capacities. THANK YOU for investing in the lives of our kiddos in Jesus’ Name! Your work and selfless love you invest in the next generation does not go unseen!
  
• To those of you in the Austin area who would like the opportunity to meet Oscar and Candis and hear more about their ministry first-hand, we are hosting a dinner for them this Saturday, November 6th and would love for you to join us! If you are interested, please email me by Thursday morning.

Dear ones, if you’re left with anything from this post, may it be a reminder to encourage, pray and give thanks for those who pour their hearts and souls into the youth of today to see the next generation fall at His feet and proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

 

My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:1-4

 

Simply trusting,

 

 

 

 

Some Things He Knows

Hi, dear Internet peeps! I have one more picture post to catch you up on from last week in San Antonio with Pops and Meems, and I will have a slew of photos to share from this weekend, too. Brennan and I arrived at our getaway destination late this afternoon (Matt will join us later) and Brennan is loving it! We’re visiting Chris, Jill, Harrison and Haddie at Jill’s parents’ farm and it is quite evident that Brennan has missed his best buddies like mad! He is ecstatic to be here with them. I’ve never seen Brennan run around so hard and so strong, leaving him completely out of breath, trying to keep up with his buddies. He crashed tonight. And he will crash tomorrow night, Saturday night, and Sunday night after days of running, playing, swimming, cow and pony sighting, riding the tractor, and trying to muster up as much as he can to be as big of a boy as possible to keep up with H & H.

After he crashes, Jill and I have sweet plans to sit in the rocking chairs outside, enjoy a glass of wine, and talk about anything and everything until the stars grow big and bright under this vast Texas sky. Our men will probably get out the guns and practice target shooting. I’m not even sure I said that right: practice target shooting? We city folk don’t do that very often. Or they might go for a run. With Bob (a.k.a. “Muffin”—an inside nickname I have for him) and Jennifer, we’ll also probably get a good round or two in of Mexican train dominoes. Even Brennan’s first fireworks display might be in order; if he doesn’t crash before then.

So as I gaze upon the beautiful, open country this lovely evening, I leave you with this video that Brennan and I made yesterday. We stayed in most of the day so I could clean house (it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks and desperately needed to be done) and pack up for our weekend away. One of the more fun things we did though was make a video together to show you a few of the things he knows. I obviously was all mixed up as to what day it was. And the little boy simply gets amused by filming himself. Hope you enjoy and have a great Fourth of July weekend! Love to each of you.

Some Things He Knows from Meg @ Spicy Magnolia on Vimeo.

Rump-Sprung

There’s no place like home. And crawling into your own bed, or your own crib if you’re of that young age, is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world after traveling. Granted, we weren’t gone that long, just a weekend. Then again, it seems like it was forever! The west Texas highways belonged to us this weekend, spending a total of 22 hours on the paved roads in the middle of the desert. Rump-sprung doesn’t even begin to describe it. And before I write anything else, I want to send out a huge THANK YOU to those who emailed or left a comment with suggestions for how to travel with a toddler! They were so helpful and appreciated. The one thing I was sure to not leave home without was the computer for us to play Cars, Brennan’s favorite movie. And it goes without saying that the whole Cars cast are my new best friends!

The little guy did super and let us drag him around all weekend long, usually not going to bed before 10 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights. But Sunday, he was totally wiped, and if we hadn’t had Cars for the road, all three of us would have had crocodile tears streaming down our cheeks. The one thing I didn’t have a chance to get before we left home was deodorant, so I used Matt’s Old Spice manly-man deodorant all weekend. I’m not sure if it worked or not. And if you happen to be one of the people I saw this weekend, just keep it under wraps if I stank to high-heaven. And the one thing I totally forgot to pack were some unmentionables, and I ended up having to wear the same pair of unmentionables for three days. I’m sure ya’ll really don’t want to know this. But after remembering everything else for the weekend, the two things I didn’t have were my own deodorant and clean undergarments! That’s the most imperfect combination to be faced with when being nervous seeing people you haven’t seen in years. So Cars was also an aid to distract from my stench that followed us across the great state of Texas.

While it was a hard and tiring weekend for Robert’s memorial service, it was a treat to also see so many special friends whom I grew up with. We also ate some of the best Mexican food on the planet and got to see Mac and Julie for well, a total of two hours. Brennan was spoiled by both Pops and Meems and his pseudo-grandparents, Ron and Tycha. We ate our fast-food quota for the next two months, and it was quite painful to put on a bathing suit this morning for Brennan’s first swim lesson at 9 a.m. The amount of chlorine in the pool was sure to kill off any remaining odor on my body though. It was an exciting way to start our week!

Last week we had some good buddies of ours, Oscar and Jacques, over for dinner who were also in town to be with Robert. I wanted to make something tantalizing for their taste buds, so I put together the following that ended up being a huge hit and I wanted to share the recipes with you all. A little background though first: There is a fabulous restaurant in Phoenix that I went to a number of years ago called El Charro. Unlike the mainstay restaurants that serve the basic French rolls or other kinds of bread along with the meal, they serve homemade, gooey sticky buns and they are AMAZING! So I thought I’d give it a whirl and serve sticky buns with the meal instead of normal rolls. The sweetness of the buns alongside the sauce that went with the main dish, Chile Shrimp, was the perfect tantalizing combination I was aiming for. I served it with a big salad with lots of fixins like red bell pepper, dried cranberries, green onions, cucumber, and avocado, topped with Brianna’s Red Blush vinaigrette. For dessert, I made a two-layered ice cream pie with Blue Bell mint chocolate chip and vanilla on top of a graham cracker crust. This menu is now on Matt’s list of favorites, and it’s like pulling teeth to try to get him to set apart a meal as a “favorite” because he tends to like everything. So it means he really, really liked it!

Here are the recipes for the very simple Overnight Sticky Buns and the Chile Shrimp, which you could probably make with chicken if you’re not a seafood person…I bet it’s just as tasty. Also, it’s not a very spicy sauce at all. I used a medium salsa which was just right, but you could make it spicier or milder depending on the salsa you choose.

Overnight Sticky Buns

24 oz. frozen dinner rolls (I use the Rhodes brand)

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

3/4 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 4-ounce package butterscotch pudding mix (NOT INSTANT)

Grease a bundt pan. Place the dinner rolls in the pan, stacking and layering them. Mix the white sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over rolls. Sprinkle the nuts, brown sugar and dried pudding mix over the rolls. Slice the butter and arrange the pats on top. Cover with a dish towel and leave the rolls setting out overnight (if you’re going to make them for breakfast) or for at least 7 hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately take out of pan and revert onto a plate.

Be careful, they will be messy with the butter and sugar baking together! You might want to put foil underneath the bundt pan to help with clean up.

 

Chile Shrimp

(recipe courtesy of The Junior League of El Paso’s Seasoned with Sun cookbook)

Serves 4-6

1/2 cup butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. garlic powder or 1 fresh clove garlic, chopped

1 tsp. oregano

1 7-ounce can salsa

1 8-ounce box Velveeta cheese

2 8-ounce packages frozen shrimp, deveined and without tails

Combine butter, onion, bell pepper and celery and cook over low heat until the veggies are soft. Add salt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, oregano and salsa; simmer 5 minutes. Before serving, melt cheese into mixture; add thawed and cleaned shrimp. Heat well.

The recipe calls for this to be served over rice for a lighter option, which I’m sure is great. I chose to serve it over fettuccine noodles, and it was so good, I probably will never end up trying the rice with it <grin>.

 

I didn’t even think about taking any pictures of the food that night, so you’ll just have to try it yourselves to see its colorful beauty and partake of its goodness. And to make sure I don’t turn into a big, burly man, I’ll make that necessary run to CVS for deodorant when Brennan wakes up from his nap. Now if only I could get that Rascal Flatts song, Life is a Highway, out of my mind and that numbness out of my bum <grin>!

 

 

 

 

Our Dear Friend

It’s day two of staring at a white screen not knowing where to begin. That’s happening more often to me than I’d like because what is in my heart wants to gush forth like a geyser, but I can’t seem to find the words to type, at least not adequate words. Around the middle of last week, we knew our Memorial Day weekend was going to look a lot different than what we’d originally planned. Having guests over for dinner, a graduation party, and the church picnic we were supposed to attend were appropriately canceled to allow our family some sacred space. I wrote last week briefly about the health status of our friend, Robert, and I want to thank you so much for praying for he and his family. On Friday night, my brother, Mac, flew in, knowing that more than likely, that would be Robert’s last weekend on earth. His health very quickly and unexpectedly digressed over the past week, and Mac and some other close friends of Robert’s knew it was time to take advantage of each precious moment remaining.

I had no idea what my role was to be this weekend other than providing Mac and my parents, who also came into town, a quiet place of rest and peace to mourn, to reminisce, to contend with God about circumstances being what they should never be: a 28 year old husband, a father to three children under the age of five, a brother, a son to a man who also lost his wife unexpectedly two years ago, passing away from cancer that riddled his entire body. I didn’t know if I should join Mac on Saturday in visiting Robert and his family or if I’d just be in the way. I don’t know why in such acute emotional times like these where your sole desire is to be an encouragement and a source of comfort and grace, that insecurity and chronic self-consciousness of what other people think and fear of saying or doing something wrong can be so inhibitive and debilitating. I don’t get that.

Mac and I ventured out to Burnet together where Aimee’s side of the family was all in town for what was supposed to be a family vacation. Robert’s family had now arrived also. There were a few other visitors that were there throughout the day, and my brother’s other best friend, Oscar, also flew into town to be by Robert’s side. Josh and Shauna, Aimee’s brother and sister-in-law, are some of my dearest friends, and I spent most of the day alongside Shauna. It was the first time we’d seen each other in a number of years and not the circumstances we ever thought would be the reason we were together. The only words that made any sense at all to speak that whole day were, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

It was an honor to be by Mackie’s side that day. There are the types of friends that are as close as a brother, and the young men that joined Robert that day are of that kind. We ache and grieve for our friends, though there is no doubt they have been held by God’s strong grip over the past year. After going home for some Chuy’s take-out and to have a little break, Mac ended up driving to Burnet again and remained there by Robert’s side as he passed away and entered into Jesus’ presence. It was a sleepless night filled with heartache.

I’ve been trying to piece together why this feels so impactful on my spirit. For one reason, our little family has been unceasing in our prayers and intercession for Robert and his family over the past year. That’s not a boastful thing, it’s that we’ve cried out to the Lord for Robert’s healing, we’ve agonized in our hearts over all that he’s so bravely endured. We’ve hoped, we’ve celebrated in the good tumor markers, and we’ve been moved to tears and waves of emotion over the bad news. It’s that we’ve allowed ourselves to walk with our brother in his suffering, to carry just a little of his burden. Another reason is that he’s our friend. While he was one of my brother’s best friends, Matt and I have had the privilege of getting to know Robert a bit more with him living in Austin and with the special occasions we’ve attended together in recent years, like Mac’s wedding. I knew Robert from when we were little, but what a privilege it’s been to see him as the man, husband and father he became: a humble, wise and godly man whose faith in Jesus is a testimony to many. Thirdly and probably most poignant to me right now is that Robert’s death has had a rippling effect into more overlapping, mutual friendships than any other I’ve experienced. My family knew Robert from not only the church we grew up in but also a youth group called King’s Kids. Mine and Robert’s parents were a part of the same ministries through church, and Robert and Aimee met through King’s Kids. So throughout the 23 years of my life in El Paso, both Robert’s and Aimee’s families were a huge part of our lives and many of our mutual friends. I’ve experienced deaths of friends and family members before, but it is stirring to see how many dear friends of ours from the El Paso community have been impacted by his passing. Unlike other deaths I’ve experienced, Robert’s affects numbers of people from my whole childhood. Comments on Facebook and Robert’s blog are an indication that Robert’s story and legacy have reached far and wide.

As someone with a keen, vivid memory, I hold a special place in my heart for those years in El Paso. Reflecting on that time puts me in high nostalgia mode. Time has always been a mystery to me, how fast it goes by and the emotions that it provokes. It simultaneously makes my heart swell with joy and fondness, and it also has a bitterness to it and the stark realization that time cannot be contained or controlled. The precious El Paso community through St. Clement and King’s Kids have shared a lot through the years. We’ve gone from being little whippersnappers and awkward teens into grown adults who now have kids of our own. This community has celebrated marriages together, visited each other, kept in touch through Facebook and emails, and been there for each other through the loss of parents and spouses. And now many of us will come together this Saturday to both grieve the loss of our treasured friend, Robert, and celebrate the life he faithfully lived in Christ, who will no doubt be lifted high and exalted for the faithful God He remains to be. We will see many faces we haven’t seen in a long while but who are joined together through shared experiences, friendship, and ultimately Christ Jesus. In many ways, it might even feel like old times again. But then again, something will be very different.  A significant void will be felt. But we do not grieve as those without hope because as believers in Jesus, we have no doubt that we will see Robert again. He will be there to welcome us into heaven, likely with his camera in hand and that big grin on his face.

Oscar, Mac and our dear Robert