Blog Move

Changing things up in the bloggins world, and heading over to Wordpress. Keep following me there at caitmedina.wordpress.com!

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"  

-Chris Tomlin

Proverbs 31

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." - Proverbs 31: 26

That's what my mom was like. She spoke wisdom and instructions/criticisms were clothed in kindness.

With Mother's Day so close, she's coming to mind more often than usual. While missing her, I'm certain, will never stop and while sorrow still comes and goes, more and more of her character is seen and her impact on others has become more visible.

"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." - Proverbs 31: 28-29

Remembering who she was as a wife, a mother, a friend, and a follower of Christ is inspiring and so encouraging. While it seems unfair at times and I miss her so much, I'm constantly reminded of the blessing I had in her for more than 23 years and the impact she's left on me, my family, and those around us. I want people to read Proverbs 31:26 and think of me when I'm gone, just like I think of her. I've never met anyone who better emobied the Proverbs 31 woman, and I'm so grateful for the example the Lord gave to me in her.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise." -Proverbs 31:30-31

Adoption Finalized!

My precious niece's adoption was finalized today! She has been such a joy over the last 5 months (I can't believe it's already been that long!) and we are so thrilled that all legal issues are taken care of now!
We love that little girl a whole lot and couldn't imagine more perfect parents for her.

(she was not lovin' all the family-camera attention... but she's still a cutie!)

San Diego

Some VERY generous friends let Daniel and I (and two of our close friends) stay at their condo for a long weekend. So. Much. Fun. (There aren't many people in these pictures because the couple we went with, one of them is a professional photographer and the other is known for taking pictures on vacations so we left that to them!)

We got in early on Saturday and went to the Midway, where we toured and old aircraft carrier. The weather was chilly and foggy the first two days, but that had zero effect on us!

 The next day, we met up with a good friend who moved to LA a few years ago and headed to La Joya to check out the sea lion caves... and visit the Ghiradelli store while we walked around downtown San Diego.

 And of course, the zoo. My favorite by far. Seriously the most intense and awesome zoo EVER.

Couldn't get enough of that ocean... 

There aren't many people in these pictures because the couple we went with, one of them is a professional photographer and the other is known for taking pictures on vacations so we left that to them! :)

Playing Auntie for the evening

She just won't smile when a camera is around...

unless a dog is present.

Can't even stand how cute she is.

Homemade Pizza

Homemade Chicken, Bell Pepper and mushroom pizza from this blog.

Delicious AND healthy :)

Two Peas in a Pod

She loves her uncle, let me tell ya.There's a chance he feels the same... ;)

Milestones

Today is my mom's birthday. She would have been 62. It's been 2 1/2 months since she went to be with the Lord and it's funny how these milestones have started to come up, where the usual things that we would do are no longer part of these days.

Today there will be no off-tune singing of Happy Birthday or eating a birthday dessert. There will be no gifts and silly cards. There will be no jokes about getting older or teasing because of my dad's cheesy cards.

There are tears and there are smiles. There is heartbreak and joy all in one big, confusing wave of emotion. There is still a family. There is remembering and laughing and rejoycing and mourning.

There is a lot of thankfulness. Thankfulness for the almost 62 years she spent on Earth, for the 30+ years of marriage she shared with my dad, for the 20+ years she shared with all 4 of her childrem, for the 40+ years she spent committed to Christ, for the hundreds of lives she's impacted.

But mostly there is hope. Hope that we'll see her again. Hope that this is her best birthday yet. Hope that great things are coming from our great loss.

Gettin' Crafty... Kind of.

Yep. Pinterest.

This can barely be called a craft since there's very little to it... Just a couple of $1 metal containers, a white paint pen, twine, and wall hooks (thank you, Target for being only $1.50 a piece!)

I know the picture's not the best quality but these are hanging above my stove on little hooks and they read "Cooking", "Baking", "Serving" and have freed up quite a bit of the little counter space I have!

Easiest. DIY. Ever.

Yep, baby Leah AGAIN

Can't even handle how much I love this little cutie!

Selfish Grief

I realized this morning when writing to a dear friend (revelations often arise when I'm working through something with her, she's just wonderful that way) how much I'm missing my mom lately. It's been hard over that last two month, of course, but for whatever reason the last two or three weeks have been by far the most difficult. Maybe the shock has worn off, maybe there's less and less to do but whatever it is I'm missing her more than I feel like I can handle. It's not all the time, it comes in waves, but when it's there it feels awfully heavy. It's the I-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed sadness that makes everything better when sleep is near by.


As I wrote this out to my unbelievably supportive and loving friend, the Lord spoke so so clearly. While my heart is so heavy, it's selfishly heavy. I'm sad because my mom's not here with me. I'm sad for the things that I will go through and my family will go through that she won't get to see, that I won't get to talk through with her. I know exactly where she is and I know she's doing better than she ever was here. I didn't want her here longer in more pain getting more and more sick. I don't want her to be less joyful and happy than I know she is now with Jesus. I just want her here for my comfort. I've never been so happy to see my own selfish heart. I'm not unfamiliar with my selfish, quite the opposite actually, but seeing and knowing that I'm sad for me and not for her might be the only comfort that could really be helpful to me in those dark moments.


Knowing that it's ok for me to sad and miss her, but that she is SO much better and happier where she is now helps to push away the bitterness and anger that so easily finds it's way into my mind to speak lies that I'm quick to believe. How people go through any loss without hope is beyond me. I'm so grateful my God is one of patience that will continually remind me of His promises when the sad feels to heavy and the lies seem so true.


"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
-Psalm 34:18

Confetti Chicken Pasta

Sooooooooo good! Another thanks to pinterest! (picture defjinitely stolen from pinterest)
Ingredients:

1 packge (16 0z.) penne pasta

2 Tbs. olive oil, divided

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. peppter

1/2 c. onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 c. broccoli florets

1 c. asparagus, chopped into small pieces

1 c. grape tomatoes

**I left out the tomatoes & onion and added corn and peas!

Cook your pasta and let it drain. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbs of oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until done and golden on all sides. Remove from heat and let rest in a large bowl.

Add the remaining olive oil to the chicken skillet and saute onions for 2 min. Add in the garlic and bell pepper and continue to saute. Toss in the rest of veggies, saving the tomatoes until the very end. Once cooked, add veggies to the chicken in your large bowl.

Spicy Cream Sauce

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp flour

2 c. half and half

1/4 tsp. of red pepper flakes

1 c. parmesan cheese

In the same pan you cooked the chicken and veggies, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whick until combines well (about 1-2 minutes).

Slowly add the half and half while stirring to prevent clumps from forming. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and allow to simmer until it begins to boil. Stir periodically.

When the sauce begins to thicken and bubble, turn off the heat and add your cheese. Stir until completely melted.

Stir in pasta to sauce, then add veggies and chicken and viola! A tasty, easy (even with so many steps) treat for dinner!

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Peace that Transcends

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 4:7

It's the kind of peace that only makes sense when you don't think too hard about it. The kind that grips your soul and you pray so hard that it won't go away. The kind that you feel you need just to get through the next minutes, let along the rest of the day.

It's a peace that when tragedy surrounds you, your heart can say with confidence, "It is well with my soul." The peace that is not passive and shying away from confrontation, but rising up to calm the seas. It's beautiful and heart breaking all at the same time. It transcends.

It's the peace that shows its self in full after your mom goes to be with Jesus, when you lose the baby right before she's expected to arrive, when sickness won't leave you alone, when depressions weighs heavy on your shoulders, when work is too overwhelming, when friendships seem to fall apart... it lifts the weights and it reconciles.

Chubby Niece

What a ham :)