Good-Bye 2019

I can't believe that this year is already over, it also occurred to me that tonight is the first night in a year that I have logged into this account or even written a blog post.

This has been a major big year of change for our family, and I honestly didn't have time for anything else but adjusting....

It has been a year of growth, change, and working through (and I am continuing) working through the hard stuff, at times it can be so disheartening and just plain sucky, but I am optimistic that our future will not be here forever, and that one day we will be surrounded by true nature and beauty again.

At the beginning of this year Nate resigned from his job as a firefighter because it was no longer serving our family or his physical well-being any more.  It was rough, he was never home, always tired, and it was just not worth it.  Instead he decided to go back to school full time, and serve as the youth pastor at out church.

Before this big change, I had already signed up and paid to go back to school - I figured almost 10 years into motherhood that it was about time that I finish up some school.  The kids are older, a little more self-sufficient and doesn't need me to hover at all times.  So that is what I did - I went back to school, and I finished well.... for once in the last 12 years I did something for myself and it felt amazing.

I also conquered some of my own health issues - and let me just say that it feels freaken amazing to take charge, and make changes, and see the long lasting results - I never ever want to go back to that place....

This year our whole little family made a few sacrifices to make it all happen, and workout. We didn't do a whole lot because we had a big trip planned to South Africa the week after I graduated from school, so we took the rest of the year slow, and mindfully, intentionally picking what was worth our time and what not. 

I think 2020 is going to be a good year - Nate will graduate at the end of this year with his Bachelors, and on to his masters, I am starting my Nutritional Therapy practice, we are hoping to start the slow and steady process of making plans to eventually move to somewhere that will better serve our family's needs, and Ian will be jumping into the double digits - say what!!!

I hardly took any pictures this year, and it has actually been pretty great to just sit back and enjoy every present moment.  One of my goals for 2020 is to do this more, and to have social media free weekends....

I have focused a lot of mindfulness, and it has been so freeing to release that you are not bound by this world, the stuff, or having to keep up with the neighbors.  You can just be you, now, in the moment, no more and no less.

** You can see 2014 here, 2015 here, 2016 here, 2017 here, 2018 here.

Here are a few documented parts of our 2019!
Enjoy!

April
Happy Easter!

May
Happy Mother's Day!

Happy
Happy birthday, Nate!

June
Happy Father's Day!

First day of school.  (fourth and second grade)

July
Happy Anniversary {11 years}

August
Happy birthday, Hayleigh!

 

Happy Birthday, Chantal!

September
Happy Birthday, Ian!

November
Hello South Africa
Cape Town.....

After 40+ years of service, my dad retired from the military - and it was such a beautiful event!

And of course some family time, it was a super short trip... and I miss them already!

December
Oh, Christmas Tree!

Hello, Santa!

Merry Christmas!

***

As always I love looking through all our pictures, and thinking about the year and everything that took place, all the stories, some tears and heartache, the happy parts - all of it is woven into our lives - teaching us and training us for what is next.

I am so happy to be done with school, and starting this next chapter of life - more school for Nate, growing my practice, and homeschooling my kids.  With a few adventures in between.

Good-bye 2019 - thank you for showing me that I can!

Hello 2020 - can't wait to see what you behold!

Happy new year from our little family, to yours

Good-Bye 2018

How on earth did this year fly by so fast?  Just like that another year done and over with.

I am so happy that since our much regretted move back to the United States, life over the last two years have gotten a little better, and I guess a lot of it has to do with being gratitude.

We have done well this year in exploring, improving our family life, and just find balance to cultivate what we want in this life

We are making some more major changes this year (more on that later - waiting on it to finalize,) but it occurred to me one day that no just magically have a happy life - they kind of create that happy life.  So at this end of this year Nate and I have decided that we need a few more changes, and we are patiently and excitedly waiting to see what will happen.

We have continued to separate ourselves from the things that creates unnecessary stress, the things that just doesn't fill us up but instead creates division and tension in our home.  This year I have learned the power of no, and that you know what? It is ok to say no to events, dinners out, a million activities.  This alone has been so amazing.

I tend to get overwhelmed easily, and I really don't like being out and about every single day of the week, I need home days - just to recuperate, tidy up, and be still.

We were able to do a lot of amazing things this year, and I am so grateful for all the opportunities and the growth that has taken place - some parts was much more intense and painful then others, but looking back it was necessary in the journey towards wholeheartedness.

Our future and 2019 looks so bright (it is frightening and exciting all in the same breath.)

My creative juices have been going for a few weeks now, and I am so excited for two big projects that are in the works.

Thank you 2018 for such a beautiful year, filled with so many adventures.

** You can see 2014 here, 2015 here, 2016 here, 2017 here.

Our 2018 in pictures.
Enjoy

Our Christmas

This Christmas season has gone by so fast, I feel like it always does.  Besides the fact that both my kids spiked fevers and were miserable, it was fun of my favorites.  It was the first year that I have been super intentional about the things will do, and the things we will not do, and it was fantastic.  We should have cultivated this approach years ago.

The freedom that has come with this decisions, and they difference it has made in my kids overall December behavior has been so awesome.  They were not stretched thin, overtired, and overstimulated, or on a constant sugar rush.  That alone made everything so much more enjoyable.

Ian got hit the worse with a croup, he was out for days, and barely made it to Christmas morning.  We has a slow Christmas morning, and by mid-morning he was feeling so much better, that we decided to go ahead with our plans and head to Oklahoma to spend some time with my au-pair family.

I was thrilled that my kids actually slept in on Christmas day, most people who know us well know that my kids do not sleep in at all, never have and probably never will.  So I was delighted when on Christmas we didn't have the extra early 05:30 wake up call - score!

We were able to get up slowly, and make some tea, turn on the twinkly lights, our fake fire place, and just get lost in the beauty of it all.

Christmas makes me so happy, and I love having kids to share it with - it makes everything so much more exciting!

 **

Everything Christmas {Before Actual Christmas}

Like in good old Cook fashion, our house was filled with sickness prior and over Christmas - it is like a new tradition that has lasted for the last five years.  Without fail someone of (two) have been sick.

Thank goodness I have lowered some of my standards, and also said no to the hustle so it was near as stressful to just check out, be home, and get well.

We had a few flurries a little while ago, and of course my kids were over the moon - they headed outside to stand in the flurries half way through breakfast.  I can't wait for the day we can be somewhere with legit snow, because they will go wild for it.

 **

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and it is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love how cozy Christmas time is, with so many twinkly lights everywhere.

Over the last couple of years, I have been getting more and more intentional to say not the holiday hustle, and all the expectations.  It has been so freeing to just to do the things/activities that bring us joy, clarity, and memories.

We have been spending our days cozy-ing up after school in the mornings watching very lame Christmas movies, reading all the Christmas stories, drinking hot chocolate for days, and maybe eating a few to many chocolate Santas.

This year we actually started to set up the tree (same old eleven year old tree, that Nate and I bought when we first got married) the same one that our dogs chewed up at one point, so the back of the tree was always shoved into a corner to hide the damage.  Anyways as we start to set it up we realized that a.) Ian is almost as tall as the tree, b.) it is super sad looking tree, and c.) some of the back branches were starting to come loose.  So we decided to just decorate the rest of the house that night, and then to go buy a new tree.  I am so happy we did, because I love love love it.

It is also so much fun now that the kids are older (I know I say it every year) but they are able to do so much more without help or intervention, and I love that.  I love that we can all hang a few things on the tree, I can snap a few pictures, and then I can just sit back on the couch and take in the beautiful magic unfolding right before my eyes.

The kids have been waiting and talking about Christmas since September 11th, the day after Ian's birthday - ha! Remembering all of our favorite traditions, and things we do together.  As they named their favorites, it occurred to me, why did I always add so much to our plates - like baking Christmas cookies (when truly none of us really fully enjoy it - it was kind of just a check in the box) and a whole string of other things.  So this year, I took note of the things that they mentioned and decided that is brilliant that is what we will do this year - less is more.  Having those cozy moments at home, is so much more life giving then the busy-ness of the season.

The kids also scored this year, since we had two separate set up days - we did our little donuts and hot chocolate tradition twice, and of course no one complained one little bit.

With all the tasty treats, our fake fire place, and Christmas music in the background it was a perfect little afternoon soaking in all the joy of this season.

 ***

Family Photos 2018

We took our annual family pictures before Thanksgiving - and I love doing it every year around the same time, just to see how much we all have changed in appearance.  For some reason it just ended up in November, even though I don't do Christmas cards anymore.

I was so thrilled when Kelsie messaged me that they will be in town again during this time, so it worked out perfect for them to take our pictures again.  I love her, like one day when I get my act together and  write a book or something, I want her to be the photographer.

We had such a fun time even though nothing went as planned.  For starters it never really gets super duper cold here in West Texas, so I planned our little outfits (and man where they going to be fun) when mother nature took a new course of her own, and the one day that we needed it to not be cold, it was the coldest day of the year, with a alarming cold wind chill and some snow flurries.

So we had to improvise on our outfits.  We met them at a near by park, and we lasted for maybe 10 minutes, exposed to the elements, we called it quits and decided to come to the house (which was a total wreck by the way) for a few photos at home.  We still had the guest room mattress in the living room from watching movies over the weekend with the kids, clothes all over the place in order to figure out what we will wear, and the kids toys all over the place.  Luckily Kelsie and Tyler were super gracious, and kind, and honestly I don't think they even cared that it was slightly messy.

I am so grateful for my people.  I have so so so much to be thankful for, but these three top the list - today and everyday!

** 📷: Keslie Hendricks Photography.

 **

Fall Fun: Corn Maze

It is that time of the year again, fall! One of my favorites, and this year we have actually had a fall (super rare here in West Texas.)  We have been missing out on all the fall baked goodies - thanks to my broken oven, it is pure torture.

We did make a trip down to the Corn Maze.  We do this every year, on their homeschool day, and it is one of our favorite little traditions now.

This year also actually went with our local homeschool group, in the past all the kids were much much older then my kids, so it made a little weird - but now we have a pretty awesome size of kids all around the same age, and that makes it a ton of fun.

I seriously never in my wildest dreams that homeschooling would so much fun, and so rewarding.

Dallas: Dallas World Aquarium {and a super quick stop over with cousins}

Our last day in Dallas was a chill and rainy one.  We actually lounged around in our hotel suite all morning (we generally don't do this) and we had leftover Thai food from dinner for breakfast - the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.

We spend the rest if our morning at the Dallas World Aquarium.  It is really nice, but I wouldn't go to Dallas just for this (like I would go to Atlanta just for the aquarium.)

Dallas: Legoland Discovery Center

We celebrated Ian's eighth birthday in Dallas this year.  The whole point of the trip was so go to the Lego Discovery Center.

We visited one in Atlanta earlier this year, and one in Germany a few years back - although this one is probably more like one of the Legoland resorts in the United States, maybe one day we will be able to go to one of those

Ian has basically been obsessed with Lego since after that very Germany Legoland trip, and has never looked back.  Every single birthday, Christmas, or random toy giving day - he always without fail requests a new lego set - it is kind of getting out of hand, but then again he plays with these sets literally ALL day long - so I really can't complain.

We booked our tickets in advance online (since you do safe a little) and thanks to our free subscription of the lego kids magazine, the kids had tickets for free entry - score.

 Nate was able to be there for this one - and he kind of loved it just as much as Ian did ;)

Once you enter in you get a full on tour and explanation of lego blocks are actually created, and everything that goes into that.  I had no idea, and it was super interesting and informative. This lady did a fantastic job explaining everything, and she was super passionate about lego in general.

Ian is EIGHT!

Eight years ago....

Eight years ago on a beautiful fall morning in Germany, I went into labor - knowing that my world is about to change for ever, but not really grasping the magnitude.

Texas: Dallas Zoo

We spent a couple of days in the Dallas area, to celebrate Ian's birthday, and to have one last little get-away before school started.

It is actually quiet the distance from our house - five and a half hours doesn't sound that long - but in reality is - ha!

Since it was just for a few days, it didn't require quiet as much planning, and minimum packing is always a win.

We left earlish in the morning, and made our way there, stopping along the way from so food.

One of the best burgers ever...

Arizona: The Petrified Forest National Park & Heading Home

Our time in Arizona has come to end, and none of us were ready to leave - like ever leave.  We wanted to just stay forever and ever.

Our plan for going home was pretty much the same as heading there, sleep over in Albuquerque, and explore a few things in the way out.

In good old monsoon season fashion, our plans to visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument.  We did make it to each spot through the rain, but it was kind of dangerous to get out and explore (hello lighting)  - so I took a couple of pictures from the car, and we totally missed out on some more awesome hikes.  Reason #101 for moving here....

The black sharp rocks is actual lava flow from then the volcano erupted, and we were kind of bummed that we missed out on hiking the lava trail.

Arizona: Hiking In The Coconino Forest

This day was probably one of my favorite days of the entire trip, the history of the day before (my birthday in fact) was a complete disaster - but it did ended up being redeemed in the most beautiful possible way!

I mean look how beautiful it is....

It all started out with an impromptu change of plans for the day.  We decided to check out a hiking trail before we headed to our actual plans for the day, and then ended up hiking in the most beautiful forest for five hours, and not even going with the original plan.

Hayleigh is SIX!

Six years ago...

 
Six years ago my girl came into this world with a force like no other.  From the moment that we locked eyes for the very first time, I knew that my world was about to become less controllable and more unexpected.

Arizona: Bearizona & Williams & Seligman (more of Route 66)

As while back I saw information about Bearizona from a blog that I love, and thought that is such an awesome place.

I was super intrigued by it, because I will be the first to admit that my general knowledge about American wildlife is pretty embarrassingly limited.  Growing up in South Africa,  I was super exposed to the African wildlife (thanks to my mom - who is a nature junkie - in a good way) so I have always been slightly intrigued.

The other factor - Ian is super into wildlife as well (it took him a while to be ok with bugs in general, but he is still not fond of bees or moths,) anyways every single day he will tell me all about these awesome animals all over the world, that he reads about in books, sees in nature documentaries - and I am always amazed.

So when I saw that this place is literally down the road from the Grand Canyon, I need we had to stop here and check it out.

We made it plan to do it on Hayleigh's birthday, so they would have something to look forward to besides hiking 10km a day ;)

The park is two fold - a drive through wild park section, and then a walk through section, like a zoo - but better.

Arizona: The Grand Canyon

I have always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.  It is just one of those places that has intrigued me to no end.

So a couple of months ago we decided to take a little end of summer (and my 30th birthday) trip - and we also decided to go to Arizona.

It was an unexpected gem - so much so that I am totally cool with moving there ;)

After our initial two day road trip (you can read about here and here,) we decided to head to the Grand Canyon - on our first and second day there.  

I grossly underestimated the magnitude of the natural wonder - and pictures do not do it justice.

After many hours of research and reading about this area, we decided on our game plan, and it's kind of the opposite of what most people do, but it worked out well for our family, and our time table.

We decided to drive the extra forty-five minutes to enter Grand Canyon National Park from the east (instead of the south) - because we wanted to make a pit stop in Cameron to check out the Navajo trading post - and well to eat Navajo tacos (most of my travels revolve around food these days.)

I love how excited Ian gets now to (most of the time) try new foods with me.  It is huge, because he use to be the pickiest eater ever.

Driving Into Arizona

We headed out earlish the next morning to get to our final destination sooner then later.  Of course first on the agenda was breakfast...

By now everyone knows that I love food, all food, local food, new food, hippie food, you just name it.

I stumbled onto this super cute little cafe, that serves whole, local, non-gmo, and some organic food - so naturally I had to check it out... I am so glad we did - it was seriously amazing.

Traveling to Arizona: Adventures in Roswell & Albuquerque

This little trip has been in the works for a couple of months now - it has kept me busy (researching and planning) and super excited.

It is no secret that we love love to travel, and it has not been as often since moving to West Texas.  There is just simply nothing here, and going anywhere for here is a huge mission - it requires lots of planning, time off, and more cash then usual.

I am hopeful that one day we will be able to live in a green forest, and become professional hikers - more on that later!

It has always been a dream of mine to see the Grand Canyon - so we decided that for my 30th birthday we will make it happen - so that is how this trip was born.

We decided on road-tripping to Arizona, and stopping a long the way - and it was fantastic - we had idea of things to do (and if we felt like it we did and if we didn't feel like it, we just didn't do it.)

Hence Roswell.

I have always been fascinated with the whole Roswell set-up, and being shamelessly into the TV show, sure didn't help this little obsession.

I will also go ahead and call out my brother on the fact that we NEVER missed and episode, and that we always use to watch it together - and we thought it was the coolest (no denial here.)

So when we roughly mapped out our route and I realized it was taking us right through Roswell, New Mexico, this plan was set into motion.

The Intentional UFO Museum and Research Center was a must on our adventure.  It is super inexpensive, well presented, informative, clean, and open pretty much all the time.  I would recommend going earlish to avoid some of the crowds.
** The lighting is a little bit of a pain, and makes taking pictures difficult with glares.

{recipe} Veggie Chimicangas

We have been trying to reduce our meat consumption to only a couple of times a week, so we have had to get creative with more vegetarian meals over time.  I use to be super skeptical, but after this recipe the vegetarian meals have kind of won me over.  This is probably the fastest recipe ever - and we all what quick, healthy dinners - so it is a win.

 VEGGIE CHIMICANGAS:
* makes 8 chimicangas

2 tsp olive oil + more for brushing on the chimicangas
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
1 7 oz can green chillies
1 15 oz can black beans, drained + rinsed
1 15 oz can vegetarian refried beans
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese, grated
1 cups salsa
1/4 cup sour cream
1 avocado, sliced
8 large flour tortillas

* I recommend using organic/grass-fed/high quality ingredients from reputable companies when feasible.

Preheat the oven to 400𝇈 and line a 9x13 inch baking sheet  with parchment paper (I like to use unbleached parchment paper.)

Heat the olive oil in a medium size saute pan.  Add the onion and garlic, and saute until soft.  Add the cumin, salt, green chilies, and mushrooms.  Saute for a few more minutes until the mushrooms are soft.  Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl medium bowl.  Add the black beans, refried beans, cilantro, brown rice, and grated cheese.   stir. to combine.

Place 3/4 cup of the filling in the middle of a tortilla, fold in the sides and roll up the tortilla with all the filling on the inside - just like how you would fold a burrito.

Place the chimicangas in the prepared baking sheet folded side down, brush with a tiny but of olive oil.  Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Serve with sour cream, salsa, and slices of avocado.

Store the chimicangas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

{recipe} Bulgogi Salad

When we lived in Germany we were frequent visitors of the most amazing Korean restaurant.  This recipe is inspired by all the many lunches Nate and I ate there.  I love all the bold flavors and textures and it has quickly become one of my most favorite at home lunches.

  BULGOGI SALAD:
* serves 2-3

1 lb ground beef
1 garlic cloves, minced
2 inch fresh ginger piece, peeled + grated
1/4 cup coconut aminos
3 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp honey (I like using raw honey)
1 tbsp sesame oil
red pepper flakes to taste
2 cups cabbage, thinly sliced
1 tbsp lime juice
1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
Celtic sea salt to taste
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
diced tomatoes
kimchi

* I recommend using organic/grass-fed/high quality ingredients from reputable companies when feasible.

Heat a sauce pan over medium heat, add the ground beef breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.  Cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and cooked through.

In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the garlic, ginger, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.  Add the sauce to the ground beef, and bring to a boil - simmer for 3 minutes.

In a glass bowl toss together the cabbage, lime juice, sesame oil, salt, scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.  Slice some grape tomatoes in half.

To serve; place the cabbage mixture into a soup bowl and top with ground beef, slice tomatoes, and the kimchi.

Store the the ingredients separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.