Today was pretty much a perfect day!

I love my in-laws.  Not everyone is fortunate enough to feel that way.  My Mother-in-law and I have a uniquely close relationship and as we sat up last night catching up like old girlfriends until 2 am I was overwhelmed how blessed I am to have her in my life.  She has always been such a big encouragement to me, like her son, she is someone who loves people so much and tells them in ways that they need to hear.  I am challenged to follow in her example and be more aware of who needs to be lifted up and encouraged, you never know how the words you say to someone can bless them and touch their lives at just the right moment. 

When we stay at their house we always fall into an easy rhythm, everything is so laid back and comfortable. It's always like a mini-vacation for this tired Mom as they entertain the "Grands" as they call the kids and even the dog gets extra special love and attention.  And when my kids wake at 6:30 am, when we are here they go climb in bed with Grandma and Grandpa and not us so sometimes we wake to find that we have been gifted with sleeping in.  Seriously, can I move in here??? So today was just a lovely lovely day.  We awoke (which was admittedly difficult for Mom, my husband and I who were all up past 2) had a nice leisurely breakfast (my in-laws have perfected the art of a nice leisurely breakfast, it's refreshing to hang out, fellowship, eat yummy food and not be rushing).  Then almost like it was a date, my hubby and I and our cute little yellow lab went for a run.  When we are on our cool down walk we even held hands (you can tell he and I rarely get out on dates that I feel the need to mention this detail as significant).  My husband is the perfect encourager to me, we would be doing a running interval and I would be fading and he would cheer me on "you can do it!" and I pushed harder knowing he was rooting for me. We did another 2.5 miles, 35 min and we ran for 20 min of it.

We got back and scrambled to get ready and headed out for a fun event in downtown Detroit on the Riverwalk called River Days.  The epitome of summer there was carnival rides and bounce houses, corndogs and elephant ears (I may have indulged), bands playing and dancers, fountains and free slurpees, tall ships and Coast Guard ships and lots and lots of people.  I realized when we got down there that we left our camera battery in the charger back at home, boo.  My MIL got some pics with her phone (more videos though)

Before I realized my camera was just for show, I was pure tourist! (wearing jeans I haven't fit in for two years by the way!)

Ridiculous sand sculpture, this was only about 1/3 of it!

Paws showed up, rather perfect for the men who all had their Tiger gear on, they had a game to go to later...

On board the Coast Guard ship.  Always a ironic experience for me, my husbands original dream was to be serving his country on board one of these (he actually wanted to do search and rescue) however moments prior to admission they asked him the fateful question "Do you have asthma?" If the truth hadn't crushed his dream, he wouldn't have ended up at Grand Valley where 2.5 years later he met me and these adorable kids wouldn't exist.  "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 How true this verse is and how nice it is when we can look back on those difficult experiences (rejections, hurts, wounds, losses) with this divine clarity, you were working all the while Lord.  Thank you for giving my husband asthma Lord and bringing him to me!!!

Co-Captain in the Captains chair, more like Partners in crime!!!

We returned home at 6 (we left my husband downtown with his friends to go to the game) and we opened the door to one of my favorite recipes in the crock pot. Many of you already have this, I have shared it with people many times before. Nothing like opening the door to the house after a long day to crock pot smells.  I love this recipe so much!! I originally got it from this crafting blog I love, if you like to sew or craft check this out, it's http://www.makeit-loveit.com/ I only wish I could be as blogtastic as that woman.  She got the recipe from someone else but here it is...

Sweet Pork Tacos and Cilantro Lime Avocado Slaw

Cilantro Lime Avocado Slaw
1 package Cole Slaw or whole shredded cabbage
1 c. Plain Greek Yogurt (my sub for mayo - plain yogurt is my new mayo)1 c. Cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. minced Garlic
1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. Lime Juice
1/2 tsp. Cumin
2 avocados diced (this was my addition, everything is better with avocado right?)
(We thought it needed something more, I always feel this way but I try to tell you about my improvising so we added a sprinkle of garlic salt and a sprinkle of Mrs Dash's Fiesta Lime. And may I just say my MIL should win an award for the amount of Mrs. Dash flavors she has bought, she impressed me, she had more than me which is saying a lot!!)
Chop and combine ingredients. Mix desired amount of dressing with slaw mix no more than 30 minutes before serving.


Roasted Sweet Pork
6 (approx) pounds Pork butt/shoulder (this makes a lot - you can either cut the recipe in half or you can freeze some of it)
1 19 oz. can Red Enchilada Sauce
1 can Dr. Pepper (20 oz) (I used Diet)
2 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. salt
1 Clove Garlic or 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1/2 onion, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine all ingredients into your crock pot and cook on low overnight or until meat is tender.
Serve in tortilla of your choice, we used whole wheat.  The number of servings is supposed to be 16 which is 9 pts which makes two tortillas worth by the way (13 with the 2 tortillas), the slaw for 16 servings also is 2 pt. 

We served it with

Grilled Pineapple with Ginger Honey Fruit Dip

I cut a pineapple as desired, throw it in this

 While that works it's magic (don't forget to turn a few times until you get those gorgeous grill lines on all sides) I take one of these

(Or you could take any variety of plain yogurt you prefer and add a little honey)

And add some of this (remember this stuff please tell me you've tried this!!!)

A little lime zest and voila, yummy fruit dip! (Which a Tbsp of this stuff is 0 pts so drizzle it on your pineapple and enjoy a point free sweet and satisfying side dish.

After dinner the kids were running around the neighborhood with other kids laughing and getting dirty and having a great time.  They desperately needed  the bath that they got. Now as I blog my tuckered out MIL is snoozing in her chair, my tired dog who is still getting used to all the running is snoring on her doggie bed and it's my chance to bond with my Father-in-law as we watch a movie that has enough explosions and suspense to keep him from assuming a similar position to my MIL.  He is a super awesome guy too! I am a very lucky lady.  Like I said, today was pretty much a perfect day. I am trying to not take any blessings for granted these days. I hope that you all take time to regularly count your blessings, no matter your trials the blessings likely outweigh them.