A “Little” Announcement

 

 

 

Most of our friends and family already know about our exciting news but I thought it was finally time to make it “official” here.

YES, we are ADOPTING… again!!

Morgan and I spent much of our weekend attending adoption prep classes as well as having an interview with our adoption agency (the same one we used for the girls).

Although we still have some paperwork as well as a few other things we need to complete, we are one step closer to bringing home a little brother for the girls. 

Of course, they have been praying for TWIN boys! :)  Now, wouldn’t that be something?!!

This time around, we’re adopting from the California Waiting Child Program (aka “fos-adopt”). 

We’re hoping for a boy, age 0-4.  And we hope to be done with everything we need to do by mid-July. 

The Lord has faithfully guided us thus far and we have great confidence He will continue to lead us, every step of the way. Soon, I hope to share some of our thoughts and experiences as we seek to bring home OUR SON!!

Thank you all for your love, support and encouragement!

To whom much is given, much shall be required. ~Luke 12:48

{Lightened Up} Apple Brown Betty

The cast of characters… literally!

 

Knives are tools that take practice and we use with caution.

 

Making cubes.

 

Check out the focus.

 

Moms may need to skin the apples for the kiddos. :)  

 

Chatting away, making memories.

 

About 5T is what I had left in my butter dish (1/3 cup).  I just sliced them thin.

 

The assembly begins.

 

Using a buttered 8x8 dish, layer the bread, apples, brown sugar, then butter slices (x2).

 

Lastly, spoon several tablespoons of water along the top.

 

Simple… Comforting… Perfection!

Did you know? The Apple Brown Betty was first mentioned in print in 1864. The original recipe used applesauce and cracker crumbs. Also, the Apple Brown Betty was one of the favorite desserts of Ronald & Nancy Reagan in the White House.

{Lightened Up} Apple Brown Betty

• 4 sliced of whole wheat bread
• 2-3 granny smith apples
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 5 T butter
• 4-5 T water
• a few dashes of cinnamon between layers
• Bake at 375 covered with foil.
• Remove foil and bake for an add’l 10 mins.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.  
  • Double the recipe for a 9x12 pan.

At first, I wasn’t sure about the wheat bread but it actually gives a great texture, yet it still feels light and crunchy in all the right places. The original recipe called for more than TWICE the amount of sugar and butter.

This lightened up version seemed to satisfied our sweet tooth plenty. However, feel free to add as much or as little sugar/butter as you’d like!

I love the fact that this recipe is very forgiving. For a baking recipe, there’s not a whole lot you can mess up here. Plus, I always seem to have these ingredients on hand so this scrumptious dessert is definitely a keeper!    

The girls enjoyed it so much, they wanted to make sure I included this as part of the future family cookbook I pass along to them. :) So sweet!    

Coconut Chicken Tenders

The assembly line…

 

Dipped in Panko Breadcrumbs and arranged on a baking sheet.

 

Bake at 425 for 15-20 mins.

 

One of the many benefits we have as a homeschooling family is the fact that we can eat dinner AT ANY TIME. Usually, that’s sometime after 6:00 but I have to confess, sometimes, that means we don’t sit down as family until about 7pm. Gasp!! 

Why??

Because it’s still light outside!!  And because I let my kids play until the very last possible moment… Until they have to come in, take a shower, or finally, have dinner. 

I love the fact that we don’t ever feel rushed to get homework done. Homework??  What’s that? :)

It’s wonderful to have this freedom as a family and I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

Also, while most kids their age are busy doing homework in the evenings, our kids are often learning something, too. 

They’re learning the valuable life skill of cooking! (and cleaning) 

I’m trying to creating more and more opportunities for my kids be a part of the cooking (and blessing) process. And to this date, they have NEVER turned down the chance to experience new things in the kitchen!

Fact: I didn’t start cooking until I got married. In fact, I remember a time when I was in college, my parents mentioned how concerned they were that I didn’t know how to cook a single thing!

After all, what kind of wife would I make?! LOL

Here’s a tasty recipe the girls had fun with last week… So easy, even a kid can do it! 

Coconut Chicken Tenders 

• 2 packages chicken breast tenders
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 2 T light mayo
• 1 cup shredded coconut, chopped
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp. curry powder
• Salt & Pepper

Marinate the tenders in coconut milk for 1-2 hours.

Then coat each piece in light mayo.

In a shallow dish, mix panko, coconut, curry, & salt and pepper.

Dredge and coat each piece in this mixture.

Place on lightly sprayed, foil-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 425 for 15-20 mins. (depending on the size of your tenders).

Enjoy dipped in honey mustard, sweet chili sauce, or ketchup.

*Make extra to use as salad toppers for another meal.

Easy, healthy, versatile, and delicious! 

So, whether it’s weeknights or weekends, go ahead and make some time to cook with your kids! They’ll never forget the meals they made and they’ll have great pride in presenting them to the family.

Plus, for some reason, cooking with your kids = lasting memories.

Have fun!   

Spring Recital

Miss Allison, our sweet piano teacher.

 

Girlfriends.

 

So nice Grandpa came!

 

Halmoni & the girls.

 

Bravo!!

 

The girls performed in their piano recital this weekend and once again, we were just so proud of them and the effort they put into practicing for this day. We have all learned so much since we first began taking lessons almost a year ago. 

The girls actually really enjoy the experience of playing in a recital twice a year. I love how it teaches them about hard work, diligence, teamwork (with their duet), nerves, and ultimately, execution. Such a wonderful experience and an offering to the Lord!

They also enjoy watching all the other kids perform. You know they’re inspired when the first thing they do when they come home from the recital is to get on the piano and start playing… again! :)