As my angel sleeps

Awww, a sleeping beauty lying near, I hear her soft breaths, that I love so dear….

She’s napping so perhaps I will get to jot some things down in this poor neglected blog. We are on top of the clouds this week, after an amazing cardiologist visit on Tuesday we ended the week with two days at the beach with the beautiful Harris family. To top it off my cousin Anna stopped by on her way home and we prayed together. Since I was a little girl Anna has always brought me closer to Jesus. Today she told me she prayed for me when I went through some dark times and for Audrina now. We prayed for the ones we love, our families near and far. Her conviction to the Lord is so amazing and beautiful, I am in awe of her and know that God was doing great works when He let me be her cousin.

This is Anna with Audrina and her beautiful youngest of three daughters Selah (her 4th  baby is “in the oven”!!!!).

We got some miraculous news from Gavin’s hearing test- it showed NO hearing loss at all- Praise God! The audiologist could not explain how he failed 2 tests and showed no hearing loss on the third. We are still waiting on his blood work and for him to grow-but in the mean time we are rejoicing in this news.

Last weekend we were a part of an awesome event, the Congenital Heart Walk Tampa Bay. Our team raised funds to support CHD and walked to support all those affected with CHD. I was able to meet mom’s of kids young and old and receive support and advice from them. I can't wait for the walk next year!

 

For the first time since Audrina’s diagnosis I feel a sense of relief and the anxiety of her CHD does not haunt me. I trust in the Lord He knows her plan and He holds my baby close in His arms. The other night as I cooked a recipe from the computer I opened this blog and Audrina and I danced to the songs I have on here. She giggled and danced with me, she is such my little “mini me!”

Audrina is a hoot, her first word is “Yum”, she can point out animals and people in books (she points to a kitten and her cousin Tatiana when I ask her to). She loves to get her self in pickles by crawling into boxes, onto shelves… you name it she does it!

I have finally got my Crossfit spunk back! My pull-ups are coming easier and I feel more energized to work out. On Tuesday I did a workout from my old gym : http://www.crossfiteastdecatur.com/

For time do
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rep rounds of:
Front Squat (75)
Each round is followed by –
5 Pullups

6 Pushups
7 Box Jumps

Today Anna I did a similar workout but with walking lounges (weighted) and kettlebell swings. Hopefully my legs will not be toast this weekend because I want to do some long runs!

We have stuck to a primarily Paleo diet, even Eric commented last night that he did not even miss the carb from our dinner. Here is the recipes I borrowed from http://everydaypaleo.com/category/food/

Smokey Roast

Coffee Spice Rub

2 tablespoons coffee grounds

½ teaspoon ground chipotle

1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

½ tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

Mix all spice rub ingredients together and set aside.

Roast

½ tablespoon coconut oil

2.5 lb beef chuck roast

1 red onion, halved and sliced

¾ cup water

Heat your coconut oil in a skillet over medium to medium high heat, make sure your pan is nice and hot!  Take the spice rub mixture and rub the entire amount into and all over the roast – really rub it in, do not just brush it on!.  Using tongs, place the roast into the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side.  If your pan is not hot enough you will lose your spices, but if it’s too hot, you will burn your roast.  You want it to make a nice crust on both sides of the meat.  Place your sliced onions in the bottom of a slow cooker. Once the roast has been seared, put the roast in the slow cooker on top of the onions. Add the water, cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.  Serves 6.

 

Warm Spinach and Sweet Potato Salad (modified from original site)

3 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes

1 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 red onion

6 oz of fresh baby spinach

Handful of sliced almonds for garnish

Dressing ( I had a package of organic dressing seasoning  I used)

¼ cup olive oil

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp spicy brown mustard (from Trader Joe’s)

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

1 tbsp of dried basil

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Preheat your oven to 400.  Toss the diced sweet potatoes with the coconut oil and spread evenly on a baking sheet.  Bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes.   .  Put your spinach and onions in a sauté pan.  In a separate bowl whisk together the salad dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad, mix well and garnish with the sliced almonds.

 

If you look on the upper right of my page you will see a button for “Prayers for Lucas”. I have been following her blog as she journals her pregnancy with a Truncus baby. In her last post she got some scary news and she has not posted since. Please hold them in your prayers as I am not sure what is going on and she always posted pretty frequently.

May you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, God Bless our Troops and Veterans!