Making food is very satisfying, especially when the food turns out well. Weekends usually bring on the urge to cook, and today was no different. Thanks to Pinterest and StumbleUpon, my kitchen is a happy place. Did you know that with just a little EVOO, salt, & pepper, you can make cauliflower into a delicious french fry imposter? There is a pan of Red Velvet Cheesecake brownies in the oven, half-finished Oreo Bon-Bons in the freezer, and the ingredients for a promising Chicken Enchilada Bake are just biding their time.
Yes, I love making food.
As of yesterday, I have completed 4 weeks of being a "Super Nanny." Who chose that nickname, you ask? I did. Sue me. Honestly, though, I've learned a lot. Nannying one special needs child requires an extra commitment to learning about those needs and all of the different therapies. Nannying two special needs children? Double the therapy and individualization, plus a whole new range of medical issues to learn about, and learning how to balance two needy toddlers (figuratively AND literally). It took awhile (being sick as a dog for one week didn't help at all), but it feels like all of the pieces are falling into place. Every day is challenging because every day is different, but there is finally a solid foundation of knowledge and familiarity to build each day off of. Did I mention that there's going to be a new baby next month? I love my job.
For the past few weeks, I've been reflecting on my life now and how much it is changed in the last year. If you've known me longer than a year, you know I can be very quiet and I spend a lot of time at home. Sometimes that stems from simple introversion and the need to re-energize by being alone. Other times, especially during my teenage years, it was due to fear. Fear that I would be socially rejected, that I would not know how to handle a new situation, that I would fail as I had before. Somewhere in the last 12 or so months, things have started changing. That fear is still present in my life, but there is less room for it. I'm not quite sure how, but my life has filled up! I'm amazed at all that is a part of my life now - besides working 2 jobs, and being part of 2 church ministries, I'm out at least 2 or 3 nights each week spending time with friends. That is HUGE for me. I don't even know how it happened, but I'm so grateful for all God has given me and is helping me to balance.
To end on a very serious note...normally, I'm not a fan of Rihanna - her lyrics make me run for more
substantial artists. However, I am guilty of really liking one of her
songs:
When this song
comes on the radio, I turn the volume and the bass up way too loud and
rock out as much as a self-conscious driver can. Which isn't very much.
So, if you hear the bass thumping as you drive by a soccer mom minivan,
pay no attention to the woman in the driver's seat.
