Spring is here and that means freshly planted annuals, barbecues and glorious sunshine on my face.
We are in the beginning phase of a few home improvement projects this summer and I have gone full blown Joanna Gaines: farmhouse, shiplap and white-shaker everything. My husband loves me, I swear.
And not just this time of year (although it comes in a strong tie with fall and my obscure love for pumpkins and spiced chais), spring signifies new beginnings, second chances and a fresh start.
I am so grateful for a fresh start each spring. The crisp aroma of the outdoors after the dead of winter and new life growing on the ground encourage me that better days are ahead. I am so ready for the birth of new relationships, trust, empathy and forgiveness this year. Like you, people have disappointed me. Our role models have disappointed us. But disappointment doesn't have to leave us paralyzed. We are all human and mess up daily. I need the correction of the Holy Spirit and His daily measurement of grace to heal the broken parts of me. It hurts, but as believers I know my confidence and identity doesn't come from what this world can offer - it comes from Jesus. And a fresh start after disappointment doesn't happen overnight. This rang especially true for my husband and I almost four years ago after we miscarried our twins. That dark, lonesome period of time produced new life in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Yet still, we remain committed to the healing process - and even so today.
On top of a fresh start to spring and healing my tender heart, mother nature blessed our household with the infamous stomach flu and laryngitis the week of my toddlers's spring break. It's downright awful and I won't even try to sugarcoat it for you.
I cleaned the entire house like my life depended on it and worked to come up with creative ways to keep my almost two year old busy. Neither were easy tasks, but since Snoop Dogg is still making music anything is possible.
We ventured to Bainbridge Island for the day in search of that crisp spring weather with the "we just have to get out of the house" attitude.
The quiet time together was just what I needed. My son needed time with his mommy. My husband and I have to work to prioritize time together in our marriage. I am a better wife and mother when I do. But nothing that lasts comes quickly. It's a conscious effort to embrace the "pause." It takes effort not to check emails, to silence our cell phones, be in the moment with each other, and cherish these moments as a family.
While we are still on the mend, I tried my luck at a new dinner recipe that was out of this world amazing! This ain't your momma's chicken soup that's for sure. I made a paleo, Whole30-approved Chicken Pot Pie Soup.
Here is my recipe in case you are currently under the weather or just need a new idea on the rotation this week:
Potato Mixture:
1 pound organic yukon golden potatoes chopped
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Soup:
1 tablespoon of garlic oil
2 tablespoons of ghee or fat of choice
2 cups of chopped carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
1 cup of celery
1 cup of diced green onions
1 pound of diced organic yukon gold potatoes
2 pound of cooked chicken chopped shredded (I used an entire organic rotisserie chicken)
4 cups of vegetable broth
1 teaspoon of fresh chopped rosemary
1 cup of frozen peas
Salt and pepper to taste
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 (great for leftovers or meal plans for the week)
Instruction:
1. In a small saucepan, combine potatoes with hot water and bring to a boil. Once cooked, drain add almond milk and blend using an immersion blender. Leave in pan while you finish making the soup.
2. For the soup, begin with a large pot or dutch oven. Combine oil, fat, carrots, peas, celery, green onions and chicken. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
3. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth, herbs and cover for about 10 minutes.
4. Add potato puree to the soup. Add salt and pepper for taste. Serve and enjoy!
As the Werners recover from all kinds of sickness this past week, I want to encourage you as maybe you are venturing to heal your own heart to give yourself time. Not everyone needs to know or share in your struggles and dreams. Just because you have been hurt, doesn't mean that you have to stay hurt. The most tender parts of your heart are what make you uniquely you - exactly how you were created to be.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." -John 16.:33
We are in the beginning phase of a few home improvement projects this summer and I have gone full blown Joanna Gaines: farmhouse, shiplap and white-shaker everything. My husband loves me, I swear.
And not just this time of year (although it comes in a strong tie with fall and my obscure love for pumpkins and spiced chais), spring signifies new beginnings, second chances and a fresh start.
I am so grateful for a fresh start each spring. The crisp aroma of the outdoors after the dead of winter and new life growing on the ground encourage me that better days are ahead. I am so ready for the birth of new relationships, trust, empathy and forgiveness this year. Like you, people have disappointed me. Our role models have disappointed us. But disappointment doesn't have to leave us paralyzed. We are all human and mess up daily. I need the correction of the Holy Spirit and His daily measurement of grace to heal the broken parts of me. It hurts, but as believers I know my confidence and identity doesn't come from what this world can offer - it comes from Jesus. And a fresh start after disappointment doesn't happen overnight. This rang especially true for my husband and I almost four years ago after we miscarried our twins. That dark, lonesome period of time produced new life in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Yet still, we remain committed to the healing process - and even so today.
On top of a fresh start to spring and healing my tender heart, mother nature blessed our household with the infamous stomach flu and laryngitis the week of my toddlers's spring break. It's downright awful and I won't even try to sugarcoat it for you.
I cleaned the entire house like my life depended on it and worked to come up with creative ways to keep my almost two year old busy. Neither were easy tasks, but since Snoop Dogg is still making music anything is possible.
We ventured to Bainbridge Island for the day in search of that crisp spring weather with the "we just have to get out of the house" attitude.
The quiet time together was just what I needed. My son needed time with his mommy. My husband and I have to work to prioritize time together in our marriage. I am a better wife and mother when I do. But nothing that lasts comes quickly. It's a conscious effort to embrace the "pause." It takes effort not to check emails, to silence our cell phones, be in the moment with each other, and cherish these moments as a family.
While we are still on the mend, I tried my luck at a new dinner recipe that was out of this world amazing! This ain't your momma's chicken soup that's for sure. I made a paleo, Whole30-approved Chicken Pot Pie Soup.
Here is my recipe in case you are currently under the weather or just need a new idea on the rotation this week:
Potato Mixture:
1 pound organic yukon golden potatoes chopped
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Soup:
1 tablespoon of garlic oil
2 tablespoons of ghee or fat of choice
2 cups of chopped carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
1 cup of celery
1 cup of diced green onions
1 pound of diced organic yukon gold potatoes
2 pound of cooked chicken chopped shredded (I used an entire organic rotisserie chicken)
4 cups of vegetable broth
1 teaspoon of fresh chopped rosemary
1 cup of frozen peas
Salt and pepper to taste
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 (great for leftovers or meal plans for the week)
Instruction:
1. In a small saucepan, combine potatoes with hot water and bring to a boil. Once cooked, drain add almond milk and blend using an immersion blender. Leave in pan while you finish making the soup.
2. For the soup, begin with a large pot or dutch oven. Combine oil, fat, carrots, peas, celery, green onions and chicken. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
3. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth, herbs and cover for about 10 minutes.
4. Add potato puree to the soup. Add salt and pepper for taste. Serve and enjoy!
As the Werners recover from all kinds of sickness this past week, I want to encourage you as maybe you are venturing to heal your own heart to give yourself time. Not everyone needs to know or share in your struggles and dreams. Just because you have been hurt, doesn't mean that you have to stay hurt. The most tender parts of your heart are what make you uniquely you - exactly how you were created to be.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." -John 16.:33
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