Present in the Pace

I feel like the best days of my life are fleeting before my eyes.
I'm trying real hard not to blink, but nothing stops the draining of the hours,
the days, weeks... turn into years and before I know it I will be telling all the
young mothers, "Enjoy it while it lasts."

On one hand, I'm like SLOW DOWN, bottle up all the memories, relish every moment,
capture all the scenes -- burn them on the hard drive of my heart, never forget.
And then on the hand, I'm like CAN THIS DAY GO ANY FASTER?!??! When you've got
toddler meltdown city on your hands, a to-do list a mile high, nothing but frozen
pizza for dinner... lunch... and breakfast. The complete parody of parenthood.

Life often feels more like the tango than a waltz.

Moving. Steady. Abruptly changing.
Wild. Intimate. Serious. Exciting. Abruptly changing.
Sippy cups. Tired eyes. Rinse. Wipe. Repeat. Abruptly changing.

Oh wait, that's not the tango, but my liiiiiife!

Last week I walked into my counselor's office; four walls, 100 sq feet of safe space.
God has done some crazy work on me in that place over the past two years.
Letting me yell, cry, laugh it all out.... process all the things.

"What's your pace like?" he challenged.

"Fast, messy, busy. You know, normal?" I self-soothingly shot back.

"At the end of the day, did you taste ANYTHING?" he pressed.

"Sometimes I catch it. Often, it's survive or die mode!"

silence.
MORE SILENCE.

Inner monologue: OMG how does he read my soul?!?!?!?!?!?

"Man. I need to work on being PRESENT in the pace."
Yes. Yes, be present in the pace.

The very next day, for real, I opened the mail box to find a package shipped from Washington.
A gift from a social media kindred spirit -- one with the most beautiful eye for
colors, movement.... you can't make this stuff up!



I burst into tears standing in my kitchen.

Be present in the pace.

I don't think it's just motherhood or parenthood in general - but many of us find ourselves
swimming hard in the big, loud ocean of life; barely tasting our days for fear of drowning in the process.

I know the song is like eight million minutes long, but this part right here >>>

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

It's never going to stop; the waves, the rush.
The pace is set, but I get to decide how present I am in the journey out into the deep.
And that is beautifully consoling. That even when I am up rocking the baby at 2AM
or hustling in my work; when I am cleaning up the kitchen for the thousandth time;
washing, wiping, putting away all the things....

I will have tasted.

Because I have been present in the pace.
Walking on those waves.




artwork c/o the talented Kendra Castillo
check her out on facebook | instagram

MINTED

This weekend we are shooting a family photo for our Christmas card!!!
I've been having phenomenal visions of playful, bright, life-in-motion for this year's
theme -- trying to capture the reality of our current state of affairs.
Three children: 4 and under. *cough cough* ahem.

I stocked up on peanut M&Ms (the toddlers' payment of choice) and am hopeful for
at least one decent shot to share with dear grandma and grandpa.
Patron saint of family photo shoots, pray for us?

So you know that singing telegram scene from the holiday movie, Elf?
"And guess what? I love you, I love you, I LOVE yooooou!"

THAT is exactly how I feel about MINTED.COM.
Have you seen their Christmas card designs for this season? Gorgeous.
I'm going to throw it all out there, and just tell you that I am officially IN LOVE.
Excited that they will be doing our Christmas cards this year!!!

They offer so many beautiful designs and options that I seriously don't know how
I will ever be able to pick!!! Here are some of my favorites...








I can't wait to get my hands on some pretty paper and share the
final production with you!!!

STAY TUNED.

P.S. MINTED is offering 15% off all holiday card
orders through the weekend!!! Use code: SNOW.
Get your hot cocoa and go!

WEAR || Bizzy B Crafts

Last year we discovered Miss Brittany over at Bizzy B Crafts and
absolutely fell in LOVE with her work! She makes the BEST child-size infinity scarves!
Soft and oh-so-hipster, right?! They are a MUST for my boys' fall/winter wardrobe.

Seriously, there were TEARS when my boys discovered that they had to WAIT for their new
scarves to come in the mail this year. TEARS. Thanks for saving their little lives, Brittany!

Brittany has been so kind to offer my readers a 15% OFF promo code!

ENTER: THELILYFIELD

Hello, Christmas shopping?!
Don't worry - she makes beautiful things for people of all ages!!!
Check it out.



Bizzy B Crafts || Instagram || Twitter || Facebook

Farmland Baby Back Ribs + One Peachy BBQ

"This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media and
Farmland/Smithfield, but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #ReadySetRibs (full disclosure)."
_____________________________________________________________________

The World Cup 2014 has taken over this household. In fact, if I don't write quickly, another game will
probably start and I am going to be booted right out of my own living room! Non-stop party central over
here - the sound of my husband and children screaming, "Gooooooooaaaaaaaaaal!!!"
forever ringing in my ears. The other night I even DREAMED of soccer - apparently
I was playing in the World Cup and all the men wanted to kiss me! Don't tell my husband.

During the recent USA game, my oldest son yelled from the couch, "Bring me a root beer, mom!"
Is this real life? You did not just say that! I'm really not kidding when I say "non-stop party".
And every non-stop party demands good food, right?! So this momma has been cranking it out of the
kitchen and off the grill to feed my crew of dedicated fans!

I pulled out all the stops with some Farmland Ribs from Wal-Mart over the weekend!!!
And the crowd went wild...


I personally LOVE LOVE - DEEPY LOVE - BBQ ribs. I'm totally the girl who would order them on a
first date and not bat an eye. I eat them with my hands, even in public, and really don't see the need
for "side dishes." Ribs are a STAR in my world. One I frequent often, unashamedly!

We are definitely "conscious" eaters around here, so it makes me happy that Farmland/Smithfield offers
fresh pork that is raised in the good 'ole US of A. Fresh cuts are free from artificial ingredients
and preservatives and are minimally processed. No added steroids or hormones either. Say what?!
Music to my ears! "Happy" pigs make me happy.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, there's a $1 OFF COUPON for Farmland/Smithfield "All Natural" Baby Back Ribs! Click, clip, and drive very quickly (but safely)
to your local Wal-Mart, y'all!!! *while supplies last*

Ribs aren't your thing? We can't be friends. Just kidding.
But you should know they also offer "all natural" pork tenderloin too!!!


I like to season and pre-bake my ribs before putting them on the grill.
Makes them irresistibly "fall off the bone" tender.

SPICE RUB:

3 tbls. brown sugar
2 tbls. sea salt
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper

Massage those ribs, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 350 degrees for about 2 hours.
(you will FINISH them on the grill!) Then place pre-baked ribs on hot grill for 30-45 minutes
(or until done). For pork ribs, 145 degrees internal temperature is recommended.

Peachy BBQ sauce, anyone?! SO. GOOD. A subtle sweetness with a dash of spicy -
lather up those ribs in the last 15 minutes of grilling and try not to lick your fingers!!!

PEACHY BBQ SAUCE:

1 C. organic ketchup (or one that is free from all weird sweeteners or preservatives)
1/2 C. peach juice/nectar
1/4 C. brown sugar
3 tbls. Frank's hot sauce
1 tbls. apple cider vinegar
1 tbls. worchestire sauce
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Mix all ingredients together and let simmer for 15-20 minutes on low heat.
Be generous when brushing on ribs, but save a little for extra dipping at the table!!!

For more BBQ ideas, tips, and tricks, check out the BBQ Pitmasters at ReadySetRibs.com!!!


We paired this goodness with grilled peaches and sparkling peach juice!!!

GRILLED PEACHES:

Wash and halve peaches, leaving skin on. Brush flesh side with melted butter and grill for 5-10
minutes. Sweet, warm amazingness. I was having trouble not eating them right off the grill! Great
served with ribs or with a scoop of ice-cream for dessert!!!

SPARKLING PEACH JUICE:

1/2 C. peach juice/nectar
1/2 C. sparkling water
squeeze of fresh lime
one scoop of frozen strawberries

Perfect for children, pregnant ladies, and those who prefer "virgin" drinks.
If I wasn't pregnant, there would have been RUM!



Real time photo: This is exactly what I'm talking about. Someone, from some country, scored a goal
and the table was INSTANTLY abandoned. Non-stop party.

At this moment, over half my family was either...

A.) yelling "GOAL!"
B.) throwing themselves on the floor
C.) running around the house without a shirt on


Farmland/Smithfield Ribs -
bring summer, parties, get-togethers, grill-offs,
and even the #worldcup2014 to LIFE!!!

My New Skins || $50 GIVEAWAY with VivoPrint.com

I LOVE me a good print company!!!
There is just something about your photos, logo, ideas, inspiration, creativity coming to life!
Personalized "tools" - from key chains to iPad cases make me happy happy happy...
said a Duck Dynasty fan.

I mean who doesn't want to head off to work with a picture of their stunning wife...
ahem... I mean cute babies on their coffee mug?!

VivoPrint.com was so easy to use - from uploading to designing to ordering -
piece of cake! They did a pretty outstanding job on my new laptop case and business card holder!!!

Check it out...

VivoPrint.com is so kindly giving away a (one time use) $50 giftcard (online code) to
one of my readers to be used before May 31st, 2014!!! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Two words: Father's. Day. Really though, a perfect gift for any occasion...
or to keep for yourself!!!

There's also a 30% discount code for all Lily Field readers: vivo30 // expires May 31st, 2014!!!

Many ways to enter of course. One winner takes all.
Best of luck. Happy printing.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends Monday, May 19th, 2014. Winner will be notified via
e-mail no later than Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 and will have 48 hours to claim
prize or a new winner will be chosen. The $50 giftcard must be used in a one-time
transaction no later than May 31st, 2014.

Special thanks to VivoPrint.com!!!

Matilda Jane + $50 Giveaway

If I was a little girl, I would beg my mother to buy me all things Matilda Jane!!!
Seriously some the most whimsical, magical clothing I have ever seen!!!
Here are some of my favorites from their recent launch of IT'S A WONDERFUL PARADE!!!
Dare you not to wish you were 5 years old.

I was kind of thrilled to discover that they carry clothes for "big girls" too!!!
Their women's line is just as fun, free, and playful - cozy, comfortable...
I'm never taking this outfit off! Confession: I'm on day 3 with these pants.

I love that Matilda Jane has a heart for the DETAILS when it comes to their pieces.
The touch of some ruffle, the flair of buttoned arms, bright, but soft colors!!!
Perfect Spring/Summer wardrobe!!! Be sure to check out their latest collection!!!
Excited to be giving away a $50 gift card to one of my readers this week!
It can be used to make purchases via
TRUNK SHOWS, PHONE OR ONLINE at Matilda Jane Clothing.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to U.S. & CANADA residents ONLY.
Enter to win between: Monday, April 14th, 2014 - Saturday, April 19th, 2014.
Winner will be notified via e-mail no later than Tuesday, April 22nd.
If winner fails to respond within 72 hours, the prize will be forfeited and
a new winner will be chosen. BEST OF LUCK!


_______________________________________________
Special THANKS to Matilda Jane Clothing for sharing this outfit
and giveaway with us!!! All opinions expressed are my own.

My Boys WEAR || Bizzy B Crafts + GIVEAWAY

It might as well be Christmas with Bizzy B Crafts scarves in our home!
My boys ripped, because that's what boys do, open the package, put on their "gifts",
and I just knew there were going to be tears at bedtime when they had to take them off.

Soft, stylish, and sewn together with such talent!
My only regret is that I didn't get a scarf too!

You're in luck - and just in time for Christmas too...
Brittany from Bizzy B Crafts is giving away $20 credit to shop this week!
All of her work is so beautifully crafted - you're going to want one of everything!

Check out these darling, child-size, infinity scarves!!!
||| ENTER TO WIN BELOW |||





CONNECT WITH BIZZY B CRAFTS

Etsy // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway


open to U.S. residents ONLY // giveaway dates: 12/9/2013 - 12/15/2013 //
winner will be notified no later than 12/17/2013 and will have 72 hours to respond
to claim prize // failure to do so will result in forfeiture and a new winner will be chosen //