Oh B-Cam!

Those of you that really know me, know that I have been presented with quite the challenge when it comes to dealing with my son. Lately it seems as though it is getting better, then getting worse.

He embarrassed me today. Again.

We went to enjoy a nice lunch with some even nicer lady friends and he just didn't want to sit still. He refused to eat...all because I didn't cut his pizza the right way. He pushed his food, screamed and yelled how he wasn't gonna do what I was politely asking him to. A couple trips to the restroom to try to calm him without making a scene (no spankings involved), and nothing seemed to work. He wants what he wants, when he wants it. 

Oh how the people-pleaser in me cringes during these exchanges I just want to crawl under the nearest piece of furniture and hide. "That's not my son, really. I don't know who belongs to that ill-mannered child."

But Brycen is my child and I'm deeply grateful for him. And while I'm not a perfect parent, I didn't make him a strong-willed child. He was born one. When B-Cam was a baby crying, I would sing to him to calm him down, but I had to look the opposite direction while I sang. If I made eye contact and sang, he'd cry louder, in defiance of my attempts to soothe him. The fit throwing, the unwillingness to listen, and the extra time it takes to "convince" him that what I am telling him to do is the right thing have become just another part of our days. 

Many people, myself included (pre-babies) see a child misbehaving and conclude that the parents just aren't strict enough, consistent enough, or strong enough to control their child.  Ahhh, the smugness of parents who have never walked a mile in the shoes of a parent with a strong-willed child! 

I have 2 children, one is strong-willed, and one is not, and let me tell you, parenting a strong-willed child is an entirely different experience.

Yes, I judged. Yes, I am sorry. To everyone who had a child misbehave in public, I am sorry for judging you. I don't know what life looks like in your home, but I do know it is possible to be doing "everything right" and still have a child who acts up.  I do know what it is like to have a child who wakes up ready to fight over every detail of the day and when you are worn out by lunchtime, he is still ready for 15 more rounds.

 I am told I am an amazing mom, I am told I am patient, I am told that it will pass with time, and I am told it's "normal". I don't doubt my abilities, I question my patience, I ask "how much more time?", and if this is "normal", what's "not normal"?

Parenting Brycen has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. And for that, I am grateful. I am grateful because humility leads me to grace and to God and to all the strength and hope and joy and peace I wouldn't otherwise seek.  And sometimes I have to stop and remember that parenting him may be the greatest challenge of my life. I long to do it well.   

Brycen is teaching me about grace. 

• Grace for him to show him he cannot rebel his way out of my love
• Grace for me to know that I do my best to train him and then pray and trust God
• Grace for his siblings as they learn that our prodigal son is just as precious to us as they are in their obedience  

Let the countdown begin!

Most of you have been hearing for nearly a year now that we had orders and were gonna be moving. Well the time has finally come. After almost 7 years of living in Jacksonville/Richlands we are FINALLY moving into our new home in Quantico. 

On February 4 our adventure began. Matt left to go check into his new unit at MCB Quantico. He is now working at HMX-1. We looked into buying and renting and well it's just not in our cards at this time. So we opted for base housing. With base housing comes a wait....not always long...but seems like forever. With Alanna being in school we (I) didn't want to have to deal with her switching schools more than once so I opted to stay behind in our NC home. Staying behind and living separate has been difficult and presented it's issues. But I have been fortunate enough that Quantico is not too far that the kids and I have been able to visit every other weekend. So now the time has come! The move is just 10 days away and my goodness we are so excited. I love the area. It is the perfect mix of city and country. There is so much to do and downtown D.C. is only about 30 mins away.

Although we are incredibly excited for our move, I can't help but think about how much I am going to miss all my friends here. I have always been the one saying "see you later", and it's presenting to be harder to be the one leaving. I know how blessed I am. 

This life isn't always easy, but it is sure worth it. 

Yummylicious

A few blogs ago, I promised to share some of our household recipes, so as I promised....here are a few of our favs! I hope you enjoy :)

PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH BOW TIES
Serves 6
Per serving:436 cal, 9g fat, 73mg chol, 3g fiber, 48g carbs

Ingredients

12 ounces bow-tie pasta

• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups small broccoli florets 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, skin and bone removed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 
• 1 small onion, finely diced 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup canned petite diced tomatoes, drained 
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 

Preparation

1. 1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes, or as label directs; add broccoli for final 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Toss pasta and broccoli with 1 Tbsp. oil.
2. 2. Warm remaining oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, onion and garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes; sauté for 2 minutes. Toss in pasta, broccoli, Parmesan and 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Add more liquid if dry.

TURKEY, SQUASH, AND BLACK BEAN CHILI

Serves 4

Per serving: 400 cal, 24g fat, 99mg chol, 8g fiber, 32g carbs

Ingredients

8 ounces peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes 
• 1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

Preparation

1. 1. Place squash in a microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave on high until soft when pierced with a paring knife, about 3 minutes.
2. 2. Warm oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add turkey, chili powder, cumin and salt; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until meat is no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. 3. Stir in tomatoes, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until tomatoes have cooked down and mixture has thickened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add squash and beans; cook, stirring, until warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Serve hot.

GARLIC CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY

Serves 4

Per serving: 259 cal, 12g fat, 66mg chol, 1g fiber, 9g carbs

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper
• 4 thinly cut chicken cutlets (about 1 lb.)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 

Preparation

1. 1. On a plate, mix flour with 1 Tbsp. rosemary, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Dredge chicken cutlets in seasoned flour; shake to remove excess.
2. 2. Warm 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cutlets and cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate; cover loosely. Wipe out skillet, leaving behind browned bits.
3. 3. Place skillet over low heat and warm 1 Tbsp. oil. Add garlic and 1 Tbsp. rosemary; stir for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and lemon zest and juice, scraping up browned bits on the skillet. Raise heat to medium; boil until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Return chicken with juices to skillet, turning to coat. Serve hot.