appreciate your who.
This weekend, in an effort to block out some missing our mommas feelings, we decided to go on a little adventure. We headed down south to Virginia Beach and had a great time playing in the sand, walking the boardwalk, and dipping our toes in the (FREEZING) water! We stumbled on a Monster Truck show (first for me!), watched a spinning, boardwalk ferris wheel from the hotel window (so quintessential beach boardwalk), and did a little shopping. (we really need a teeny bopper to teach us how to take a selfie)
On the drive back yesterday, Tyler and I were discussing how both of us forgot to mail our mother's day cards (who's surprised, not me!), and I began thinking about how lucky I am to have so many wonderful women in my life who have guided me and made me who I am today. Each of them have taught me different things, and each of them have brought something tremendous to my life.
I have a mother who is always there, okay maybe she doesn't always answer the phone the first time it rings, but she's really good about calling back! She always helps me see the lighter side of life, she has forced me (and I'm so happy) my whole life to put myself out there, leave the house, take some adventures, go and do! Every day, trip, or event is an experience with her, and I'm so glad to call her my mom. She made sure that I focused on what was important, she took me to church, read me the Bible, sang me sweet songs; she taught me to count my blessings, and share my gifts and strenghts with others. She ironed the pleats in my school uniform (most of the time), she put bows on my head, and stuffed my feet into the cutest shoes imaginable. We laugh the same, we cry the same, we look the same, and even though we're pretty different in a lot of ways, I wouldn't be who I am without her love and affection.
I have two amazing grandmothers, each of them have taught me something different, each bringing their own unique flair to my life, from sassy sarcasm to my love to bake and bring people together for a good meal. I can't imagine life without either one of them, I am so lucky to know them both, and I'm so happy to have them as a constant part of my life.
I've also been blessed with some terrific women outside of my family, one in particular has weighed heavy on my heart this past week, Mrs. Virginia Tuley. Almost two weeks ago, we found out that Ms. Virginia was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, which has metastasized to both lungs and liver (if you'd like to follow her story please visit her caring bridge site, and as always prayers are much appreciated).
Ms.Virginia has been a part of my life for well, my whole life. She has seen me grow up, sharing childhood firsts, adolescent excitement and anxiety, and the challenges adulthood has brought my way. I think any time you get some nerve-racking news about someone you love, you start to look back on your relationship with that person and think, "Wow! They've added so much to my life! Where would I be without their presence and guidance?"
Ms. Virginia has taught me, and continues to teach me so many things, each and everyone of them have touched me in some way, and helped make me who I am today. First, she has taught me that cereal can be enjoyed at any hour of the day, especially before bed. I have such fond memories of sitting in her little kitchen in Ft. Worth, Texas, dressed for bed eating a big bowl of cereal. She has also taught me that a little diligent planning and a few lists may help make a chaotic life a little less chaotic. You should have seen Tyler's face the first trip we went on together when I pulled out an itinterary with the address and operating hours of all the places we were going to visit. When he asked my "Why?" I just said, "That's how Ms. Virginia does it!" I remember the first time Neal (her son, and my lifelong friend) came to visit us in San Antonio. We picked him up at the airport and he pulled out this folder, filled with all the important information. She always seems so prepared and ready. I've learned that doing a little research and learning some random information before your trip makes the whole trip a little more fun. I know more about the Amish than anyone needs to know, but I'm sure glad she knew exactly where and why that buggy was going in the middle of the night as we followed it down that dark Pennsylvania road. It's funny though, because somehow even with the lists, she's also taught me that getting lost can be a lot more fun than staying the course. I can't tell you how many times we took a wrong turn, but some how ended up right where we needed to be with tears rolling down our cheeks from laughing so hard we cried the whole time we were "lost," I feel like as a child I never knew we were actually really lost... She has taught me that everyone deserves love. She gives of herself more than anyone I know, taking time, even when she's running late, sick, or tired, to stop and give the person starving on the corner of the road a hot meal, the granola bar in her purse or McDonld's gift card, and chat with them about how they're doing, and to let them know they're loved. I've never met a person with as much HOPE as she has, despite the circumstances. She lives a life full of hope and promise. Now, when faced with one of the largest obstacles I've ever seen someone faced with, she's planning trips, making lists of everything we need to do, teaching us all something we never knew, and reassuring us all that God is good, and that the best is yet to come.
I hope you've been as lucky as I have to know and be loved by some wonderful women. Take time, not just today, but everyday to thank them for all they do, and realize and appreciate what they've done to make you, you.
This morning, as I was sitting and thinking about how much I love my mom, grandmothers, and the other special women in my life, I was thinking how fun it would be to have them all at the breakfast table together, laughing and chatting about all the events of the past 25 years, and looking forward to the ones that are yet to come. All that thinking about these women, made me miss them a lot, but it also made me hungry, so here you are, Missing my Momma Mother's Day Frittata (recipe below)...
Missing My Momma Mother's Day Frittata
Ingredients:
5 eggs pinch of salt fresh cracked pepper 3-5 drops siracha (can't live without it) dash of garlic powder 2 tablespoon milk 2 small baby tomatoes/1 whole tomato (de-seeded) handful of fresh baby spinach 2 tablespoon corn salsa (love the Trader Joe's version... it's too good not to try) grated cheese
whisk eggs, salt, pepper, siracha, garlic powder, and milk until little bubbles form...
chop tomatoes and fresh baby spinach...
add veggies and corn salsa to egg mixture... heat your oiled, oven proof pan on medium heat...
add eggs to heated pan, cook for a minute or two stirring every 30 seconds or so... then bake for 3-4 minutes, add cheese, and bake 7-10 minutes until cheese is melted and sides are golden.
sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Step by Step:
- preheat oven to 350* F
- Whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, siracha, garlic powder, milk until smooth and slightly bubbly
- Chop tomatoes and baby spinach, add to egg mixture
- Add corn salsa and give it all a good stir
- heat oven proof pan on medium heat with a good coating of oil or if you're making bacon, pour out grease and add a little bit of oil to the bottom of the pan
- Add egg mixture, cook for a minute or two, stirring the mixture occasionally
- Place eggs into a preheated oven for 3-4 minutes
- Remove from oven, cover the top with shredded cheese
- Bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sides are golden brown
- Let cool for 3-5 minutes, and enjoy