Thankful for decisions...

What an incredibly fast-paced 3 weeks it has been in regards to my career and how a single decision gave me clarification that I am on the right path.

I have never claimed to be the best wife or mother, but I am doing all that I can to be everything my husband and children need and deserve. Will I ever be perfect? No but it won't stop me from working on it. I have been provided the most amazing roles in this world by the most amazing God and I will do all things for His glory. It is the lessons that He provides me that makes me so thankful for the person He is shaping me to be.

Let me take you back to a random email I received 4 weeks ago from an HR recruiter who originally contacted me a year ago about a position that wasn't career-wise, not to mention I had been at the job I am in for a week. Anyway, he now had another position to put in front of me and as a marketer it's normal to keep your eyes open for the next quest. This role was intriguing from the tasks, to the challenge, to the growth potential, to the salary. And my mouth started to water.

The interview with the VP went well, I can tell we connected and again from what she described, the position would be a challenge but an opportunity to work alongside some pretty intelligent marketers was what kept me excited. I do recognize now we connected so well because 7 years ago that was me behind that table. The same look in my eyes that nothing besides working mattered, but 7 years ago I didn't have a husband to come home to and little ones to love on. It made me reflect on how much I loved my life.

The next step was an interview with the team, individually, (one additional VP, 3 product people, 2 like-managers in the department). I had prayed so hard for these interviews to shed light on the what the role would look like for me daily and how this could affect my family.

3.5 hours later and having turned the tables on 4 of the 6 interviewers, I was released and left with red flags from the following questions:

1. "How do you work with difficult people" this was also posed as "Can you provide me an example of how you worked with people who may have been deemed difficult."
2. "How do you feel about long hours?" This was also detailed with "We work hard, we play hard" and "Twelve hour days are pretty average for me."

I believe interviewer #4 shed the most light on the role. While it would be different roles, we shared similar circumstances. Mothers of small children, just about the same age. Having been there only 4 months herself I asked her what was the biggest transition for her. Her face changed from emotionless interviewer to one of sadness and guilt. She told me of how she has had to rearrange everything in her children's lives to be able to make it to work on time but then on-time, was at least 30 minutes later than everyone else in the building. She explained that this past Mother's Day, her daughter had a "thing" at school for moms and she didn't even want to ask if she could take the morning off.

If that wasn't enough to convince me I'd be selfish to take such a role at this point in my life, my daughter talking to me about not being able to take her to school anymore was a dagger in my heart. With my current job being 22 miles from the house, she's right I don't take her to school and pick her up like I once had the opportunity to do. However, she knows that her dad or her aunt is always there for her and that mom gets to come home earlier to spend way more time with her after school, but I would never miss her Mother's Day "thing" for a job.

I had prayed that these meetings would open my eyes to give me the best representation of what I would be entering into and it did. It is not to say that these people aren't going places in their careers, and that this role isn't right for someone. Just not someone like me, not anymore.

When the company made the offer at a figure a little over $15,000 more than what I currently make, it actually was easier than I thought to turn it down. $15,000 would barely cover the cost of the nanny I would need to hire to replace my role in taking care of my children while working those long days. That folks is sarcasm. Yet, reality.

I am so thankful to God to have provided me the heart that never made me feel like it's about the money in any position I've entered into. Yes, we need money to survive in THIS world, but taking money that would force me to spend time away from my husband and children isn't going to work well for me in HIS world. It is too easy to get wrapped up in the world that we need more, expect more and demand more. I was there once, but I'm not going back.

Over a year ago I was praying for the job I have now. A job that would challenge me and provide me the freedom to spend the time with my family that is needed, when it is needed. A job that affords us the money we need to have the things we need and insurance to cover us in our health needs. I trusted in the Lord then and I continue to trust in Him for these plans that shape my life. He provides and I love Him for all the ups and downs.

This coming year is filled with some wonderful milestones and I don't ever want to miss them:

• My babies turn 2 in July.
• My loving and always supportive husband has taken on the new role at the school and I need to support him in all ways.
• My oldest starts kindergarten - and due to the start time, I can take her to school.

This is how I spent my daughter's Mother's Day "thing" at Tessa's school.

So thankful to not have the feeling that I can't be there for my kids when it means

the most to them, not to mention how much it means to me.

" Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,

That fight for our love, and our passion,

As our eyes are open wide and on you.

Grant us the privilege of your world view,

And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down."

-- Toby Mac, Lose My Soul

What beats bacon? Steak wrapped in bacon! Genius!!

I apologize for not posting this sooner, but the Cave has been crazy, but that's for another blog.

Turn back your mind to Memorial Day weekend...ahhhh! Our neighborhood is so fantastic, we saw that feeling before we purchased the home but never realized how important these people in our hood would be to us. Anyway, back to the weekend...we decided kind of last minute to put together a little BBQ. Simple really, bring your own stuff for your own family, but I couldn't resist sharing these bacon bites that I spoke to neighbors about just days before.

This time around I used sirloin. First time I tried this with filet, I am not sure it made a huge difference taste-wise. Filet is scrumptious of course, but the sirloin has a nice and tender chew factor as well. I gotta admit, I let the money make the decision and went for more steak and that's how we got the sirloin.

Step 1:
Take your steak and cut it up into bite size pieces. Season lightly with sea salt and pepper. These babies are gonna pick up a lot of flavor through the bacon, so don't worry about your need for salt.

Step 2:
Take your bacon, and again I use uncured bacon cause that's what we do in the Paleo world, and cut it into 4's. It's bacon and it is flexible, so one time around and pin it with a toothpick. Try and get your toothpick through it so the sides are flat, it will help cook the bacon evenly.

Step 3:
Throw them in the pan and cook them until the bacon is crispy (not burnt).

Step 4:
Eat!!!! I don't provide a dip sauce for this, but thinking out loud I would bet a nice honey mustard (more mustard than honey), or a BBQ sauce might be fun too.

Words like "what is this incredible bite of yumminess" were used. And I agree. They are incredibly tasty and filling too. It's a pure bite of protein.

Speaking of yumminess...my baby Bella (below)...she is pure yummy, and quite the character.

Back to the Cave.

I'm beginning to surprise myself...

Admittedly Paleo is a challenge. Don't get me wrong, when I eat spot on I feel great and I definitely notice the days I don't eat well, at least I notice the day after. Sick to my stomach, tired and sluggish, bloated, and just overall ughhhh. So finding food that not only meets a craving, but exceeds is a quick way to say Paleo-who??
Yesterday I was dying for some Thai food. I don't know whether it's the exotic blend of so many different seasonings or the spice that makes your tastebuds just jump and say howdy-do. Sitting at my desk yesterday I started daydreaming of lunch even though I had brought lunch to work, one of the best Thai restaurants in Huntington Beach is just a mile down the road and their $5 lunch special is enough food to feed the people of Malaysia. Too close for comfort. Too tempting. What was worse is I had to do errands at lunch and oh the idea of passing it was getting to be too much!!! I finally resisted driving fast right past it, don't look, don't look!! and sat at my desk eating my chicken salad (yawn).

My husband had plans last night, so I planned on putting the kids to bed and making something good. I had no idea how good until I just threw caution to the wind and opened the coconut milk.

Ok so I took my chicken in bite size pieces and browned them in olive oil...at this point I was still making another dish (thankfully the olive oil didn't matter to the taste).

As I was getting my balsamic glaze out I saw my curry paste...and I thought, yes! why not!! I opened it and the smell made me feel good all over so I added that to my chicken.

I let it cook for a short time in the curry paste and then added my coconut milk. I don't cook with measurements. I cook by color. I know the color I want and that's when I stop. Oh look how beautiful chicken can look.

But that's not all. Then I went crazy...and put my brussel sprouts in my quick and crazy recipe and sauteed those pups for a few minutes and oh such goodness on a plate.

I do need to learn how to make the rice cauliflower, it might prove to be more authentic but if you enjoy curry the way I do it doesn't matter what you put it on. I had it in Malaysia once with a bowl of spaghetti. My tongue was on fire and I live to have that moment again. Two Yums Up!

Happiness can be found in your wallet.

When life doesn't seem to be going my way I have found comfort in little things like shoe or purse shopping. A purse never cares if you put on a pound or two, or five. I used to feel that way about shoes but then I got pregnant and realized shoes can be horribly judgemental. Now after having babies, I realized purses form a whole new meaning. Is it a diaper bag? A fashion statement? A place to hold my wrappers, receipts, school flyers?

Life in the Cave can be pretty hectic and my life needs to lean towards simplicity. So when I step out of the Cave I need to be thinking simple. Which led me to the culprit of why I carry a purse...the wallet.

My journey began to find a wallet that I can use as an all-in-one for the days I just need to grab my wallet and go, or days I need a purse and want to throw the wallet in it. It seriously took 2 months to find the right one for me. It had to zip, it had to have enough places for the the reward cards, have the ability to show my license easily, and it needed a handle cause seriously I lose things. Oh and I had to love the way it looked.

Home parties and hours searching Google behind me, I finally found the Vera Bradley all-in-one zip around wallet!! It took days to get it but worth the wait and I couldn't wait to get started cleaning out my old wallet. Throwing away receipts, business cards, reward cards, etc. I felt like a hoarder and seriously was waiting for TLC's cameras to sneak up behind me.

The pile on the left is what came out of my old wallet. The bag on the right is my new wallet, all zipped up and ready to go:

I took this opportunity to not only clean out my wallet, but recognize I don't need all the things in it. Why am I saving free yogurt coupons? How many reward cards does one person need? My 5 year old was delighted to receive my old hand-me-down and the twins were running around the house with plastic reward cards with pure excitement. I made their night. Most of all, this is just another step in the right direction to simplify my life. Back to the Cave.

I like to eat. There, I said it.

I love a good meal. Who doesn't right? When I started Paleo, I made a secret pact with myself that I would take the time needed to create dishes that were healthy and satisfying. Paleo eaters can find themselves running into routines of eating the same meals a lot. I mean how many ways can you cook steak and chicken?? I am very thankful for a heart that likes to try new things and isn't afraid of playing with my food. My husband isn't as fun in this area but has gotten better, as long as I don't tell him what's in it and usually I can make him anything that includes bacon.

So last night's creation...while the mind said "oooh make chicken bacon bites" the body was being pulled on by my twins Jack & Bella (they love when mommy wears a dress, it's like a game of gather round the may pole) and making bacon bites entailed a little more work (don't worry, we'll get there). So as a good Cave Wife and Mom, I chose to simplify - while using the same ingredients.

Last night was simple since the kids had eaten and hubby wanted his leftover pulled pork from the night before but if cooking for the family just double, triple, etc. the ingredients.

Start with 2 slices of non-cured bacon. Bacon seems to be a debate in the Paleo world but I have found that the nitrate free, non-cured has less to debate. It's pork with no processing, a.k.a. pig...eat up! And seriously non-cured bacon has a greater taste of bacon without the added seasonings and salty taste from curing.

So fry up your bacon and don't lose that fat...ohhhh bacon fat you are a blessing for cooking. Remove the bacon when cooked and then toss in your chicken breast cut into bite size pieces. Yes, cook your chicken in the bacon fat. Seasoning with chili powder, garlic and a pinch of sea salt.

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On the side, make a mixture of honey and mustard and stir until it just tastes right to you. Some people like more mustard tanginess than others. Once the chicken is cooked, drop in your honey mustard mix and stir up until it creates a warm oozy mess. It will actually look like bbq sauce.

Then plate it. On goes your chicken and then crumble your bacon on top. For you non Paleo foodies, you can add cheese while still in the pan to melt then plate and top with your bacon. Cheese is not on the Paleo food plan, and while some people incorporate it in I have chosen not to simply because it's a binge food for me.

This was enough for me last night. I was full and beyond satisfied with my dish. I was having a hard time finding a veggie dish to pair it with and already had a salad at lunch. I need to work on the side dishes so I can have more complete eating experiences.

What is beyond the cave?

A few months ago my husband and I began eating in accordance with the Paleo plan, what many have referred to as the Caveman diet. If it isn't of this earth, it isn't in your mouth is my way of describing it.

Transforming our lives to eating healthier, and simpler had me thinking what else can I do healthier? simpler? That's where this blog comes in. Come with me, beyond the cave. Discover again what life is about, without all the chaos, additives and complications the everyday world provides.