It's Here! It's Here!

I've been counting down this day since, I don't know, before Christmas. . . The opening of the Winter Olympics is TONIGHT! I haven't been this excited since I found out that all 25 of my immediate family would get to be together for a whole day at the holidays! Seriously, I think the only thing I could be MORE excited about is if my Eagles had made it to the Big Game.

For weeks, I've been teaching Li'l Empress to chant with me. I've been humming the national anthem. I'm tearing up every time I hear the I decided to have an Olympics party. I've been plotting and planning a big international feast for friends and family. Last night, I snuck out of the house and went crazy on red, white and blue STUFF to decorate for tonight's party. I've been overloading on NBC's spotlight features on athletes. Instead of reading blogs and keeping my email up-to-date, I've been poring over news stories of weather conditions, opening ceremony plans, injury reports and so on. (If I've ignored an email and it's important, you should probably attach an Olympics story to it. That will get my attention!)

So, in celebration of the GREATEST. DAY. OF WINTER. (so far . . .), I give you the cutest little speed skating fan I know. Try to contain yourself. And yes, I know I'm brainwashing her. It's one of the perks of parenting, isn't it?! :)

Do You Realize?

Merry Christmas
to you and your family!

While you and your loved ones go about your day, celebrating the traditions that you hold dear and enjoying the bountiful expressions of love amongst you, think about the words of this song for a little while.

Do YOU realize?

Christmas Fun On Friday

Okay, so it's been a bit of a heavy week or two here. What with all the looooong posts on attachment and the pictures of sick kids and all. So I'm sharing a different kind of Christmas cheer today.

When I was a little girl, someone bought us the album (yes, the real vinyl album) of songs from Peanuts and the gang. Now, whenever I hear this particular song on my local radio station, I know that the Christmas season has officially begun. It's not very spiritual, but it is chock full of happy memories of dancing around my royal blue bedroom with my younger sisters in our matching Christmas nightgowns. The song makes me happy. So very happy. I hope it makes you happy too!

Scrumptious Casserole for You

Tonite's dinner is a big family favorite. The recipe was originally from my sister-in-law, over at My Little Nest, many years ago. We've tweaked it and altered it for our growing family and our preferences. I have mentioned it before but never actually shared the recipe. So, for those of you who are feeling a recipe rut, give this one a try and let me know what you think. I'm pretty confident that you'll love it as much as we do!

Chicken Chalupa Casserole
makes 1 9x13 casserole dish
or a deep 1 1/2 - 2 quart casserole

Ingredients:
1/4 c. diced onion
1/2 c. sour cream
3/4 c. milk
2 cans cream of chicken soup
8-10 flour tortillas, quartered
4 chicken breasts, browned and chunked into bite sized pieces
2 c. shredded cheddar, Monterey, or Mexican cheese blend

Optional add-ins:

• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes, seasoned or plain
• 2 cans (4 oz.) diced chiles, drained
• 1 can (6 oz.) olives, drained and chopped
• 1 can (7 oz.) mushrooms, drained and chopped

Instructions:

1. In large bowl, mix together the onions, sour cream, milk, and soup. If adding in the optional ingredients, do that now, too.
2. Pour a small amount of this "sauce" into a lightly sprayed casserole dish. Just use enough to coat the pan and prevent sticking or burning.
3. Place 1/3 of the tortillas onto the sauce. Follow with a layer of 1/3 of the chicken, 1/3 of the sauce and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat these layers two more times, and end the layers with cheese on the top.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, uncovered. Top with additional cheese if it needs it. Bake another 15 minutes uncovered, till bubbly.

This casserole is excellent with guacamole and salsa on the side. I've made it so many times that I had to really think through things to see if this recipe is still how I do it. With a few minor changes, it's really still how I do things. (I delete the sour cream in the sauce and use it as garnish instead. And I use the seasoned diced tomatoes with chiles and onions in them to save me as step.) Throw together a salad and toss some chips into a bowl and you have a scrumptious Mexican-style feast for your family!

A Contest & Other Sundry News

There's a fun contest going on over at China, Baby! You really ought to check it out. Even if you don't win, there's some gorgeous stuff that indulge your girly fashionista within. And all the proceeds are going toward fundraising for their adoption. Check them out!

Here's a good report from Alayna's momma after her surgery yesterday. Gosh, they aren't even "blood" family and I was in prayer and on pins and needles all day waiting to hear something. Anything. Please continue to pray, as the coming weeks of healing will require patience, and apparently, a blender!

We have no new news about our proposed Consulate Appointment. It's hard to wait, as really, this stage of the process is supposed to be almost a non-stage. You get Travel Approval and within a day or two you get the Consulate Appointment. Then you get packing. It's been a week, and we have heard some rumblings of opportunities being opened up, but no call for us yet.

Today my BFF and her family are pulling in for our annual Labor Day coffee and chat fest. Coffee for the guys, chats for the girls. We are all super excited. Particularly, it seems, the crows and cardinals who live in our back yard. They've been up squawking and singing since about 5 a.m. Which means I've been up listening to them. And while I have a deep appreciation for the beautiful creation crafted by My Father, I prefer to appreciate it when the sun is actually already up. And when the clock reads anything AFTER 7 a.m. I prefer the 8 o'clock hour if I'm being totally honest.

Finally, I've decided to retire Favorites Friday for a while. Not that I've been totally faithful to do them each week of the summer anyway. So it feels kind of anti-climatic to share the information with you. But there it is. After I have neglected it for 3 or 4 weeks running, I'm announcing that it's done. For now.

Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone! Eat lots, play lots, and enjoy your time with family and friends. And if we hear about the Consulate Appointment, you'll find the scoop (with our travel dates!) right here.

Favorites Friday

*NOTE: This is a re-post of a post I did last year about our vacation. We are heading out today for a long weekend with my folks and The Norwegians :) We will have 5 days of extremely limited internet and cell service. Right smack in the middle of our wait for an update from the orphanage where our little Aidan is waiting for us. Right smack in the middle of waiting for that all-important paper document called LOA. Ugh. I don't know if I can handle the separation. But I will be strong, and try to bear the five days of lazy sun-bathing and hot-tubbing in the bravest manner possible. I'll try to suffer nobly.

What I will not suffer nobly is the advent of my big 4 - oh. Yes, bloggers, I am turning 40 tomorrow. I will likely spend the next days fending off waves of agony at leaving my 30's - they were so good to me, and fending off waves of despair at having to get used to saying the "f" word in relation to my age. It won't be pretty. But that yummy steak dinner my mom mentioned might just ease the pain. Maybe. . . .

Without further ado or sob stories that will bore you to tears, here is my re-run (with updates for this year in red) of Favorites about family vacation!

We're leaving (today) for our annual vacation with my folks at our family home on Keuka Lake (click here and navigate to the photo gallery page - it's quite a kaleidoscope of scenes of lake life at Keuka!) I've been going there with my family since I was 11 or so, and the whole area has lots of really great memories for me that I enjoy sharing with my kids while we drive. I admit, when I was a teen, I didn't enjoy going there for two whole weeks every summer: being away from my friends for that long felt like the cruelest torture imaginable. But now that my folks own their place and I'm all grown up, with grown-up responsibilities and pressures and deadlines, being there with its easy pace and quiet scenery is like a balm. Today's Favorites are just some of my favorite things about getting away to the lake with my family.

My Favorite Things About Vacation At Keuka Lake:

• The hot tub - doesn't that just say it all?!
• The beautiful sound of water lapping against the sides of boats docked along the waterfront and the little gem reflections of the sun on the water that my eyes catch between the leaves when I'm crashed on a lounge up on the dock
  
• The absence of most technology - I say most because my dad recently splurged on a tv and satellite dish to combat the long, rainy days of fall and spring when he's there alone (Ha! Last year, I loved the absence of cell service and internet. This year, not so much!)
  
• No make-up, no hair stuff, no real clothes - bathing suits, flip flops, sweats and grubby shorts & T-shirts are the order of the day
  
• My birthday with my family - we try to be there over my birthday as many years as we can. Somehow, it eases the agony of the approaching 40's and makes me feel young and carefree again. At least, until Shaggy stands up next to me and speaks in his deepening man-voice! (I'll get back to ya on this one. Not really looking forward to the free flinging of the "f" word that I'll no doubt experience by everyone but The Boss. He knows better, having just suffered the same agony himself last month!)
  

So, bloggy friends, I'll be off enjoying some time with my family for a few days; we'll be home late on Sunday, just in time for me to run laundry and start my new week with mounds of emails and blogs to read! Enjoy your weekend and try to find your own down-time to feel young and rested if you can . . . I sure will be!

A Twist on The Favorites

First, let me say that your generous outpouring of prayer, encouragement and support to all of The Gang in these past weeks has been humbling and amazing. That strangers and friends alike have diligently sought the face of God on our behalf makes me weep with joy. This blogging community, (and where it intersects with my adoption community, with my church family, and with my friends, and other family connections) has been a pure joy to participate in and I feel blessed by you all. However I've come to know you, the volume of comments, private emails, phone calls (Classic Mama, you are amazing!!), and relationship during this season has been priceless. Thank you.

Over the past three days, several of you have asked me privately how you can continue praying for The Gang. The journey is far from over and, in many respects, we are embarking on a brand-new journey upon our return from China. So today's Favorites (there are more than 5 today!) are the things we are still praying for regarding the end of the legal and documentation part of our journey and the beginnings of the living and loving part of the path.

• Financial provision - We knew when we started that we did not have all the finances in place to make this whole thing happen in our own resources. But God told us this was the path He was marking for us. So we've walked by faith, literally every month, and He's provided every step thus far. Please pray with us that the remainder of the money needed will be provided. This includes things like the balance of the actual adoption fees, traveling expenses, and resources to complete the things here at home that must be done to welcome Aidan to her new home.
  
• Clarity of purpose - As you can imagine, the coming weeks are full of "to do's" and we are asking God to show us what HAS to be done so that we might be about those things first. Strength to put things we WANT to do in proper priority is a must, as my list of "want to do's" and The Boss's list are often different. We need God's mind on these things!
• School plans - We request that you pray with us regarding our plans for the fall for our kids. We aren't totally settled about one particular question and we really need to hear from HIM and feel HIS peace over what He's laying before us.
• Travel plans - The next steps are that we must obtain the LOA (Letter of Approval). This is followed by the TA (Travel Approval) and the CA (Consulate Appointment) from the CCAA. Many times, when a family has cleared the Review Room (which we have) those next steps come fairly quickly (we're talking in terms of weeks). We are also requesting that our file be expedited after what we've been through. Please pray that all those steps come in His time and that the plans fall into place according to what is best for our family. I don't relish the idea of leaving my kids for the whole trip, nor do I want to miss their first day of school or BBE's 7th (oh my!) birthday. But God knows my heart . . .
• Transition and Attachment - Please pray with us that even NOW Aidan's little heart be made ready to be loved and cherished by her new family. Pray that the Lord put an anticipation in her heart for being His and only His, forever. Pray that she attach to BOTH Todd and I quickly and deeply, and that her transition to our crazy Gang be smooth and peaceful. It's a lot for a little baby to take in and I want God to go before us in this area more than any of the others listed here!
• Healing - My sweet sister-in-law, Teagan's mommy, actually was the first to say this to me and since then, I've had quite a few ask about it. In the hustle of the week, it didn't occur to me to start pressing in for this and seeking God's glory on Aidan in this way. But if you are feeling pressed to pray for our sweet girl, please contact me by private email and we can talk about it. We haven't yet spoken here of her medical needs, really only because of the pace we've kept since Monday, but we will be soon. In the meantime, we ask that you pray.
• Finally, for Aidan's life - Our family anthem over this adoption has been Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "You Are Being Loved." It's ministered very deeply to me personally in the weeks since we bought the cd for The Boss. And each time I hear it, I beg God for this to be the anthem over Aidan's whole life. Not just till we can get there and hold her and sing it over her, but for her whole life. I want THIS to be the mark that all the world sees when they look at her.

In the coming days, we will be sharing more about what we've learned about our baby girl. Some of the anecdotal notes that come with her files that help us start to connect with her and "know" her. It's amazing to me, I cannot believe how in love with this little girl I have fallen. And fallen hard. Almost every time I look at the clock, I wonder what she is doing across the world. I wonder if she knows how loved she is.

Favorites Friday is back!

It's been a while since my last Favorites Friday. It seems that Fridays just fly by around here and before I know it, I'm waking up on our lazy (ha, ha, I wish!) Saturday mornings to the smell of coffee and the realization that I missed another day of Favorites. I don't know how much you all get out of this feature on my blog, but I enjoy it. I think it makes me take note of what I appreciate around me. Kind of, "stop and smell the roses" moments that make me look for things for which I can be grateful. Even if they are funny or eccentric. Today's list will likely fall on the eccentric side for most of you. That's okay. It's my blog and I get to post my quirks and crushes and oddities at my choosing. You all know it just makes you love me a little bit more, that I can share my silliness with you!

Anyway. . . .

I don't know if any of you heard, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman had their baby on Monday. A precious little girl whom they named Sunday Rose. Many have commented that the name sounds like the trend of modern weird names floating around these days, but I actually find it quaint and old-fashioned. And I'm such a huge Keith Urban fan that you'd be hard pressed to convince me that it's not a great name for their baby girl, I admit sheepishly :)

So today's list is in honor of my favorite country artist.
These are my current Keith Urban Favorites, in no particular order!

• Days Go By - great cruising tune, with the windows down reveling in the joy of the moment
• Making Memories of Us - a sweet declaration of love and building a life together
• Where the Blacktop Ends - a kickin' TGIF kind of song, makes me dance every time I hear it
• It's a Love Thing - just a cute, happy song about lovin' a girl
• You're My Better Half - my ringtone, reminds me that The Boss and I are blessed to have each other

It was hard to narrow this list down - really he has so many great, older tunes, too. I know, I know, some of his songs are not necessarily G-rated. When the kids are around I move on to the next one, if I catch it fast enough. But his voice. Oh, his voice! His songs were my first forays into my country music craze and I have to say, they just keep getting better and better the longer I'm listening.

Congratulations Keith and Nicole
on the birth of your baby girl!
May the Lord grow her strong
and healthy and with a passion to find Him.

And thanks for all the great music.
I can't wait to see what this little one
inspires you to write and record next!

Favorites Friday

In light of yesterday's sad and tragic news about the loss of little Maria, Steven Curtis Chapman's gorgeous youngest daughter, I am posting today's Favorites Friday as a sort of tribute. This family has done so much for the plight of orphans all around the world, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to their mission. In fact, their family story has played a huge role in our journey to China for our own daughter.

My Favorite Songs During The Adoption Journey

• Cinderella - by Steven Curtis Chapman, this is the quintessential Daddy Daughter love song. I will never be able to listen to this song again without a tear and a prayer for this precious family.
• He Knows My Name - the Lord recently gave me this song, by Tommy Walker, to pray over Aidan during this journey. It's likely that it will be some time before she can sing it for herself so I am lifting this promise to Our Father in her stead.
• All I Really Want for Christmas - also by Steven Curtis Chapman. The Boss bought me the cd the year we started our official journey and paper chase and there have been many days that this song haunts my heart as I wait for my girl.
• He Reigns - when our former church started using this song by the Newsboys in regular worship services, I was a wreck! For months after Baby BlueEyes was born, I had this sense in my spirit that we weren't "done" and that the Lord still had an "Aidan" to be birthed in my heart. This song helped me hang in there till HIS timing was right to start the process.
• He Ain't The Leavin' Kind - this declaration of the great faithfulness of our God by Rascal Flatts serves to remind me that although our daughter will have been left by her biological family, He is bringing her to a family that will never leave her. And that our foremost goal in loving and parenting her will be to model the faithfulness of our Father, that she might learn for herself of the True Love that will never leave her.

Please, join us in continuing to pray for the Chapman family. Their grief and pain is incomprehensible to us. But it's not to our Father. He well knows the pain of their loss. He well knows the agony of their hearts.

Father God, be close to this precious family in these horrific days.
Guard their hearts and their minds against any attempt
of the enemy to scar or wound them further.
Give them strength and endurance to face the days ahead.
Give them the comfort that only you can give,
by the ministry of your Holy Spirit.
We intercede on their behalf - be near to them, Oh God!

If you feel led to give a gift in honor of little Maria,
the family is requesting donations be made
to Maria's Miracle Fund through
Shaohannah's Hope, their not-for-profit ministry
that funds adoptions, both domestically
and internationally, and cares for the orphans of the world.

Favorites Friday is back!

I haven't done a Favorites Friday in a few weeks - seems as if my Fridays have been either too incredibly busy to allow for proper rumination and development of a scintillating topic. Or they've been too impossibly quiet and boring which thereby numbs my brain against proper rumination and development of a scintillating topic. Today is neither incredibly busy nor is it impossibly quiet. I'm sitting here listening to the conversations between Baby BlueEyes and "GoH Jus" Niece as they create their egg carton caterpillars (the absolute stretch of my creative crafty-mom pursuits!) and the steady drum of rain on the roof. All the makings of a perfect Friday morning. Especially now that I've gotten out all my big words for the day (and quite possibly the whole weekend) in the above sentences.

My mom's birthday was this week. And with Mothers' Day looming, I thought I'd share with you some of my Favorite things about my mom. This format is taken from a little survey that we had to complete for a Mother~Daughter luncheon I attended at her church last weekend with my sister, her girls and my LadyBug. I hope from it you can capture a bit of what makes my mom so amazing. And what makes all of us love her so incredibly much. She's a very special woman and I'm happy to share her with you in this way.

My Favorite Things About My Mom

Something funny about my Mom - One of the funniest things about my mom is that she can’t get through a joke (or at least a really good one!) without cracking herself up! Another is that her Boston accent returns briefly almost every time she talks with her mom or her sisters!

Something I admire about my Mom - I admire my mother’s wisdom and compassion – she’s got a gift for meeting you where you are at, but not leaving you there. I love that when I talk to her about parenting or marriage or ministry in my local church, she always gives me another perspective to think about when we're done. (See, Mom, I DO listen to you! Honest!)

A special memory of my Mom - A favorite memory of my mom is when she stayed overnight in the hospital with me when Shaggy was born. I was so scared, now that he was actually “here,” and in a lot of pain from the delivery. When I started to go into shock overnight, she got right on the nurses to get me some help and was so encouraging when I started to nurse. I also loved the sight of her holding her first grandbaby – it was thrilling!

Something that distinguishes my Mom from all other women - My mother’s anointing to be a godly mother-figure to the many younger women in her life is something that distinguishes her from other women in our lives. She carries that anointing with grace and humility and is very real and approachable in her ministry to all of us!

And an add-on to the original questions, Something that I hope to emulate from my Mom's life - I hope to grow into a steady, "rock of the family" woman that all my family knows that they can count on. I watch what my Mom is walking through as her mom ages, and I am amazed at her steadiness, her resolve, and her faithfulness to honor her mother's independence and still be sure that my Grandmother's health is prioritized. It can't be easy to watch her mother become more and more frail and I'm humbled by the way she's handling it all. Her whole family KNOWS that she can be counted on to make wise choices and it's a blessing to watch.

Happy Mothers' Day Mom.
I love you
Though I may not say it often enough,
You Are My Hero.
I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Favorites Friday

I'm celebrating here today! I have gorgeous color (and the promise of more coming!) in various spots all over my gardens, and I can't help but feel very Tigger-ish over the joy of it. Flowers, trees, bushes - they are all bursting with life and I'm so very excited!

My Favorite Spring Flowers

• I have this incredible soft spot in my heart for lilacs. Their blooms, their scent, the memories they evoke. I love them and I love The Boss for buying me the 6 bushes I have been nursing along in my yard for almost 4 years now. They are on the verge of popping out in colors ranging from white to deep purple, and I check them daily for progress
• I call daffodils the happy flowers. I have never seen a daffodil and not felt a little thrill of happiness at their perky color and their straight stalks reaching for the sun. My new ones are a lovely soft yellow, and are a perfect complement to their neighbors, the hyacinth.
• My hearty little hyacinths have made my whole front yard smell heavenly. Their color is technically listed as blue, but these babies are so deep and royal that they can only be called purple. Poking up from the mulch next to the daffodils, Baby BlueEyes and I go out to sniff their fragrance almost every day!
• Tulips are such stately flowers, and I love to see the neighbors' gardens full of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows. But the little rebel in me absolutely adores the bright flame orange tulips. The contradiction of the elegant flower with the rocker chick color makes me smile every time I see them. Every time.
• There is a border between us and our neighbors made entirely of forsythia. Though they only stay vibrant and full and yellow for a short time, I feel ridiculously enamored with these gorgeous bushes. I wait all winter long to see them come into full bloom, and I peek out the side door to get my fill of their color several times a day. I hope the neighbor doesn't think I'm spying on her!

These flowers speak to me of life and exuberance and joy. They remind me that Spring always comes, no matter how long or hard the Winter has been. They tell me of The Father's Love and His gift of renewal and refreshment and new life. And they give me hope. The expectancy I feel every year as I watch my blooms is a little treasure in my heart that I turn over and over and cherish deeply. It's my gift from My Daddy, reminding me that I can make it and I have great color and life in store for me!

Favorites Friday

I am pleased to welcome some guest bloggers to today's edition of Favorites Friday. LadyBug and Baby BlueEyes have been working long and hard (too long and too hard!) on this creative shout out to The Boss. Enjoy!

Our Favorite Things About
Daddy

• D dances the "Fishing Pole" when the Eagles score a touchdown!
• A awesome hugs and kisses when ever we want them
• D does huge dives and crazy flips off the diving board
• D drinks a lot of coffee in his favorite Eagles mug
• Y yummy pancakes on Saturday mornings

Does this count as school?
I explained sentence structure and verb tense.
Tensely, but I explained it.
I talked about using more creative words
than "great" and "awesome" over and over.
Repetitively.
Yup, sounds like school to me.

Favorites Friday is back!

I know, you've been waiting all week for Favorites Friday to return to the blogosphere. You've been on the edge of your seat, holding your breath and begging God for your weekly dose of pithy, quirky and uplifting looks at the world around us. I know. So, to reward you all for your patience and your loyalty, I present to you this week's installment of Favorites Friday!

My Favorite Things About Celebrity Apprentice
(I know, it's deep and meaningful, and could very well change your life. You're welcome.)

• Stephen Baldwin - He conducted himself with a fair amount of grace, integrity, and flair. And he kept his cool with a light-hearted demeanor that impressed me, even when other competitors were getting nasty, too personal or too edgy. Can I also say, I thought some of his marketing input was genius! I've documented my respect and admiration (obsessive fanaticism?) for him here and here. Read with care. It's not a pretty look into my world.
  
• Carol Alt - She was the most gorgeous, savvy, and talented women of the whole kit and caboodle. She totally got gypped of the opportunity to compete in the finals, just because "Piers vs. Trace" would bring in more ratings. And does that lady look great for her age, or what?! Ironically, this is also one of the things I hate the most about Celebrity Apprentice. Does that make me shallow? :)
• Celebrity Fundraising - no matter my own personal feelings about "The Donald" (and believe me, I have enough of those feelings to write another whole post entirely!), I love that he gathered some big names from all walks of celebrity-dom and put their names and their notoriety to work for something good. For things that will make an impact for thousands of people, and now ultimately for so many of our soldiers who need care, support, and a second chance at a new life after service to our country.
• The Tasks - I thought this round of tasks was really well-planned and very interesting. I enjoyed seeing the celebrities using their skills, some of which they probably hadn't used since they just started out. For example, Trace Adkins running the entertainment portion of the final task - I'm guessing at the start of his (now!) huge career, he did most of his own set ups and stage managing. Brought some of them back to their roots, I bet.
• Finally, Trace Adkins - yes, I'm a huge country music fan. But until CA, I've never been a big Trace fan. Some of his music can be downright earthy and raw. But this is a man's man, and a big man. I don't mean in stature, although he certainly is that! His demeanor, his integrity, and his passion for his cause shone through everything he did. I especially loved how simple and straight-shooting he is - no fuss and bother about him. No special maintenance required. And I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard as I did when he said "Here's the world's most heterosexual cowboy out with the boxing champion of the world going out to buy nail polish for a GUY." Priceless!

One last thing, Promises Fulfilled is running a fun give-away this weekend on her blog. Don't stop by - The Boss and I really need a date night out and I need me some lamb chops. But to play the contest fairly, I had to link back and tell ya all about it. Just. Don't. Go. There. Please :)

Favorites Friday

Over at Politics for Moms, my friend Natalie has a regular Friday feature, called Freedom Friday. Today's feature is a picture of our kids, celebrating the freedom that we have to raise our kids to be kids. To allow our kids to become whomever God calls them to be. I've been thinking about it a lot, like in Wednesday's post on that great Chinese proverb. My favorites today are in honor of the freedoms we enjoy, as a family and as a nation.

Favorite Freedoms of The Gang:

• The freedom to worship. We are unabashedly a Christian family. We worship weekly with our local church family. We gather regularly with other believers to pray, to study the Word, and to share our Christian journey. We do this without fear of reprisals at work, or from our local governmental officials.
• The freedom to grow our family. As a pre-adopting mom of a little girl from China, this is especially important to me. We have the freedom to have as many or as few children as we desire or as the Lord gives us. We are free to add these blessings to our live through birth or adoption. We even receive benefits and breaks from our government in recognition of the effort and expense that children incur.
• The freedom to travel. With family spread out all over the East Coast, we are free travel to see them and connect in ways that are unique to our family group. We can travel to Big Boppa's & Grandma's "cabin" to fish and swim. We can travel to Tiny Boppa's and Grandma's to hike and relax in the Shenandoah Mountains.
• The freedom for the kids become ANYTHING they want to become. I love that in this nation, my kids can be doctors, lawyers, pastors, teachers, electricians, or cowboys. Even my girls. I love that they can explore all kinds of career options, that they can study lots of things on that journey. And in this stage of life, I especially love that they can read lots and lots of different kinds of books that will open their eyes to the many ways they can serve the Lord and His church as they grow.
• The freedom to celebrate our heritage. March is a fun month to me. I get to make a big deal of my Irish heritage. I pull out lots of Irish music, make Irish meals (U.S.-Irish traditions & Irish-from-Ireland ones alike, Li'l Bro!), and fly my shamrock flags. But I also get to celebrate, at any given moment, the pride I feel in being Italian, in my Christian heritage, and in being an "O'&%(&" or a "W*^)@%^" (No, I'm not swearing! These last names are disguised to protect the innocent!). Additionally, I love that The Boss and I get to infuse our own flair for what it means to be part of The Gang. We get to make our team's rules and form our team identity!

So, here's my pic of The Gang, in honor of Freedom Friday. And this is my take on my Favorite things about being FREE! What about you? What do you value about your freedom?

(First photo with the digital camera)

Friday Favorites

Back "in the day" I was the gal that lived for Friday nights. Before the kids came along, we had a busy social life, hanging with friends at local restaurants, late nights in each others' apartments, laughing and playing games or watching movies. When the boys were really little, we just bundled them up in their jammies and brought them along. Somewhere along the journey, our Friday night social calendar stopped filling up. As the demands of a career and three, then four, children started pulling at us, The Boss needed Friday nights to unwind, in the peace and quiet of his own living room. I'd bundle the kids up still, but in their cozy little beds, a bit earlier than other nights. And now? We actually rejoice over the occasional "empty" Friday night on our calendar. We crave them like one craves ice cream on a hot and sunny day. They are our refreshment. Our chance to call our own shots and stop our clock, if only for one night.

My Favorite Things: Friday Nights With The Gang

• Long, late dinners. We can take our time, talk and laugh and tell stories of our day, without one eye on the "bed time on a school night" clock.
• We're all home. With a 13 and 12 year old, I know these occasions will be fewer and farther between, but for now, I love having all my chicks in one nest for the night!
• No meetings. It's a rare occasion that we have church or school functions on Fridays, so we enjoy the chance to dis-engage our "agenda-minded" brains for at least one night.
• Movie Night! We don't always watch a movie together, but I love the sound of the kids laughing together regardless of the differences that may have cropped up between them earlier in the day.
• Late bedtime for all. The kids are all still young enough to view a later bedtime as a treat, so I feel like the cool Mom at least once a week! The Boss usually falls asleep 1/2 way through "Numbers" but I snuggle in with him and watch re-runs and late night tv till my eyes are bleary.

There is something delicious about a late, relaxed Friday evening at home. It's even more delicious to sleep in on a Saturday morning, to be greeted with the smell of freshly brewed (albeit it, ridiculously strong!) coffee. To have no alarm blaring across the room, jarring me awake. But the most delicious thing about it all is the way the whole world outside our doors just disappears and the mad dash through life stops on a dime. If only for one night.

Favorites Friday

Today is a snow day! Not a delay, or an early dismissal. An honest-to-goodness, real school-canceling, snow-shoveling snow day. My kids were thrilled beyond words, as these are in short supply since we moved from Central to SE PA. We always seem to be on the warmer edge of all the storms, resulting in that nasty wintry mix of slush and mess. Not so, today! Yippee!

My favorite things about snow days!

• Sleeping in a little more than normal - The Boss gets up really early, no matter the weather. So when there is a delay or a cancellation, he sneaks back into our room and turns off my alarm. Such a wonderful man! Such a wonderful treat!
• Long, leisurely breakfasts - The kids and I make a hot breakfast and all curl up on the couch (I with my hot coffee in hand!) to watch Matt, Al, Ann and Meredith. This morning we chowed down on chocolate chip and blueberry waffles.
• Homemade cookies - Almost every time it snows (or rains, or storms in any way!) I get the urge to bake. Usually it's cookies, sometimes it's muffins or cupcakes or bread. Today: hot, gooey chocolate chip cookies!
• Free shoveling - One of the perks of having two, strapping HOOVERS is that I promise the fresh, hot cookies if they promise to get the shoveling done for The Boss. Right now, they are finishing the driveway and are starting the sidewalks.
• Freedom from the normal routine - I have adopted a rather "relaxed view" of the standards on snow days, since we joined the public school system. As long as the beds get made, teeth get brushed and everyone has clean undies, I don't really care if anything else gets done. We watch movies, listen to loud music, drink hot cocoa, eat cookies, and have fun just hanging out.

So, what do you like to do on Snow Days? Do you have any special traditions or projects? Do you make special memories with your family now? Better yet, do you have any special memories of your own snow days?

Favorites Friday

I'm a fairly new coffee addict. I resisted for years, even though I did enjoy an occasional cup, well-doctored and usually only in social settings under subtle peer pressure. It's only been three or so years that I've become a full-blown coffee junkie. And now, in the throes of a virus that has left my mouth full of painful sores and a head aching from the agony of it all, I am realizing just how much I love my coffee. Today's Favorites are an ode to my morning java. May we meet again soon!

My Favorite Things About Coffee!

• The heat of my full Tigger mug cupped in my hands seeps right through to my bones, warding of the chill of the morning air. That first long draw of heat eases the pain of leaving my warm, dark cocoon of blankets.
  
• The aroma is nutty and rich, tickling my nose with the anticipation of its taste. When The Boss is brewing, the smell is a touch more acrid, giving just the right nudge out of that dark cocoon on a Saturday morning.
  
• Its taste is strong and deep, calling my brain to alertness and giving my taste buds the gentle wake-up call they need to start the day. One big sip and my tongue is loosened and real words begin to form.
  
• The hazelnut creamer only enhances the nutty smell of my morning blend and adds just the right trickle of sweetness. The creamy flow into my giant-sized Tigger mugs is one of the prettiest sights I see all day.
  
• And the kick? Oh, I love the kick! The little surge of clarity and the jolt of excitement as I sip and look over the day's chores cannot be beat. I mean, come on! How else am I supposed to face the mountains of laundry and dishes that appear on EVERY DAY'S list without fail?

These sores cannot handle the perfection of coffee right now. They fare far better with room temperature water and yogurt. Lots of yogurt. But believe you me, when the last of these vile tormentors have left my mouth, I'm making a whole pot of delectable brew. And drinking the whole thing. Just think how much I'm going to enjoy that! Can you imagine how much I'm going to get done? Mmmmmmmmm, be patient dear mouth, be patient.

Favorites Friday

I've been spending a good bit of my time doing research and gathering information related to our adoption this month. We've got a lot going on here at The Gang's house: renewing documentations, updating information and getting familiar with this whole sub-culture within the International Adoption community. I've been making new "cyber" friends, learning a ton, and discovering some really cool stuff. I'm sharing some of it with you today!

My Favorite Adoption-Related Sites:

• Head over to Love Without Boundaries, if you are reading this on Friday, February 1st. They are participating in a fund-raiser sponsored by Facebook and have the opportunity to win $50, 000. That's enough to fund 10 heart surgeries for orphans in China! It only requires a minute, and $10 per person. (Click on the "$10 Saves 10 Lives" button at the top to learn more.) And fund-raiser aside, this site is a wealth of information about the lives of orphaned children and what we can do to help them.
  
• A brand new find, Adoption Mama sells creative graphic tees for adoptive mommies and mommies-to-be, a.ka. "paper pregnant" like me. I can't really afford any of the products right now, 'cuz well, I'm adopting! But, how cute are these shirts?
• Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia (CHOP) has an awesome International Adoption Counseling program. We've been so impressed so far with their knowledge, their helpfulness and the things they've counseled us about. We're really enjoying this resource!
• I found this cool link when I tried to find the Chinese symbols for the word "Hope." I'm brewing a couple "family made" art projects for Aidan's nursery when she comes home (some day!) and I had a blast tooling around this site. You can find your name and see it in Chinese Calligraphy . . .
• This is my favorite of all the sites listed for today. Julie P is an adoptive mommy herself and designs the most amazing jewelry that honors her daughter and the Chinese art of calligraphy. I've already put in my request for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Aidan's Gotcha Day, and so on. And the best part: "50 % of profit will be donated to support ongoing efforts to help children in need." Awesome!

There you have it. MMMMMM, all this talk about Chinese culture is making me hungry. Maybe I'll treat BBE to lunch out with some yummy eggrolls . . . . Have a great Friday, all!

Favorites Friday

I love to cook, bake and putter in my kitchen. I'm sure most of you have figured that out about me by now. There's something magical about the completion of a full meal, or the conquering of a new and intricate recipe. It makes me feel accomplished. Taking a basic recipe and revising it for my family's tastes challenges me. I love "skinny-ing down" a favorite recipe, and having it come out just as scrumptious as the original. I even love my bright red and yellow kitchen and all the things that surround me when I'm creating family meals.

In addition, I love the connections that many of my recipes evoke. Making my potato soup reminds me of a sweet friendship with a former pastor and his wife, hanging out in their home with their adorable daughters. Layering a lasagna calls up the happy memories of pasta dinners around my parents' table. Putting together my mother-in-law's casseroles reminds me of how much she loves us and how she glories in making our favorites when we come home. Reading a recipe in my grandmother's elegant scrawl brings a tear to my eye as I assemble the ingredients and think of the special occasions when she cooked for us.

Today, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite dishes. If any of them sound yummy to you, feel free to drop me a line and I'll share the recipe. After all, those connections should go on and on - we need each other. Sharing how we nourish and sustain and even lavish the ones we love is an essential part of supporting and connecting with each other. Don't you agree?

My Favorite Dishes

• Chile Rellenos - This egg-y, cheese-y casserole is HANDS DOWN the most favorite of all the yummy dishes my mother-in-law makes. I first had it when The Boss and I were dating, and even though I occasionally make it here at home, NOBODY makes it with the same skill and love as Mom W.
• Ham and Lentil Soup - My mom has been making this for years and it's the absolute best soup for cold winter nights. Healthy and filling, I love to pair it with crusty dinner rolls or hearty rye bread. The secret is in the cloves!
• Whole Wheat Pasta with Sausage & Pesto - (or whatever other additions I can find!) I especially love this recipe because it came from total creativity and ingenuity. I had a little of this and a little of that and no money to run to the grocery store. It's never completely the same each time I make it, but even my pickiest eaters never complain when I make it for dinner. And there are almost NEVER any left-overs . . .
• Baked Oatmeal - I found this recipe in my Weight Watchers resources, and have made it over and over. It's an excellent breakfast or brunch meal and, with a few revisions, it also makes a great snack bar for the kids. There are so many yummy things you can do to this recipe, it's almost fool-proof!
• Chicken Chalupa Casserole - This Mexican-style recipe comes from my sister-in-law, over at Life and Lessons. She's a great cook and this one became a big favorite in our house after she made it for us when she was a newlywed. I haven't made it in a while, but now that the winter weather is really here, it's on the meal rotation for this month!
• Mexican Chicken & Cornbread - My favorite "ooooops" of all time. We were planning dinner with friends and I was "revising" a less-than-healthy recipe I had. The chicken breasts fell apart and we've all been raving about the dish ever since. I'm particularly fond of how easy it is.

Yes, I've noticed that there are 6 here, instead of the customary 5 Favorites. You get a freebie from me today, I'm feeling generous. . . I also noticed that the majority of these recipes are Mexican or Spanish-styled. We like food with lots of flavor and flair around here. The Boss grew up in California and grew up eating this style of food. I love the flavors and textures of Mexican, but I mostly love the casual feel that meals like all of these create around my dinner table. Homey and comfortable - for anyone who joins us. Whatever the origins of the meal.

Favorites Friday

I got to do a lot of reading over the Christmas holidays - snuggled into a deep couch with a glass of eggnog or hot coffee and a blanket. It's my favorite way to 'de-tox' and wind down. In addition to my great love for reading, I love to talk about books and authors and learn about others' thoughts and perspectives.

So, today's favorites are some of my favorite recent reads, old and new, or new to me. I certainly didn't read all of these just over the holidays, or I'd never have come up for air to be with those that I love. But I did make sure to quiet myself in a corner frequently - my own little Christmas break!

Some of My Favorite "Recent Reads":

• Karen Kingsbury - I just read Between Sundays on the trip to and from my folks' house. While it is definitely different in its feel from her Baxter family series, it was no less impacting and powerful. Being in the adoption process, I was especially moved by the foster and adoption story line. A beautiful story by a consistent, gifted and convicting author!
• Harry Lee Kraus, Jr. - This guy is a surgeon-turned-author. And his medical suspense thrillers are amazing! I've been working my way through as many as I can get my hands on over the past several months. The topics are incredibly relevant (cloning, gene manipulation, abortion, etc.) and if even half of this stuff really happens in the medical community, I feel even more inclined to vote NO to universal health care than I already was feeling!!!!
• Ron Luce - I've heard about this guy for years, through the various ministries that he's associated with, but I started Battle Cry for a Generation recently. It's a tough read with lots of statistics and facts that can be hard to weed through. But his writing style is compelling and really pulled me in - I didn't even mind (so far!) all the numbers that he kept throwing my way.
• Liz Curtis Higgs - Recently I re-read her series of the Scottish clan McKie. It's meant to be a fictional re-telling of the story of Rachel and Leah. The settings, the descriptions, and the plot all came together beautifully to expose the hearts of each character and the depth of their need for redemption and forgiveness. I love this series, and I love that I felt like I was in the Highlands right there with them, peeking into their lives. She has that gift with many of her other books I've read!
• EveryDay with Rachael Ray - I know, it's not a book. But I've been devouring it nonetheless! My wonderful sister-in-law gave me a subscription for Christmas and I've really been enjoying the articles and the recipes. Some of the tips and the make-over ideas are great for spicing up the dinner table this winter. I'll let ya know when I try some of them . . . .
  

I'd love to hear your impressions of these authors or titles. Maybe you have some new ones to share? After all, it can't stay in the 50's and 60's in the middle of January forever can it? We really ought to be prepared with some good, uplifting and captivating reading for those cold, windy winter nights, shouldn't we?!