Signs of Fall

A few weeks ago we went for a "fall leaf drive," a family tradition of mine growing up. We ended our drive at Grandma and Grandpa's for some farm fun! Oh how I love fall!

Some other signs of fall around our house:

- pumpkin bread, muffins, scones in the oven
- soup on the stove (several nights a week)
- pumpkins on the front porch and by the fireplace
- hat and mitten bin by the coats
- crunchy leaves in little boys' pockets
- slippers on big and little feet
- runny noses on two little brown faces
- snot smears on the couch (and way too many other places in our house)

Boy Updates

My boys turned 5 and 2 a few months ago (I'm a little late, I know). It is crazy. But even more crazy than their ages is how much they've changed since they've arrived in my arms! Below are their stats and some notes on their progress :)

Owen:
- Has grown 5.5 inches and gained 5 pounds since he arrived almost 17 months ago.
- Learned how to ride a bike without training wheels less than 3 months after he came home.
- Started Early Kindergarten this fall and is LOVING it.
- Is EXTREMELY detail oriented in his questions and drawings.
- Is excellent with little kids. So patient, so gentle.
- Brings EVERYTHING back to God and is a faithful reminder to his mother of how big God is!

Gibson:
- Has grown 7.25 inches and gained 10 pounds since he arrive home 12.5 months ago (he may surpass his brother soon...).
- Is talking up a storm and loosing some of his "baby" words (bittersweet for mom).
- Sleeps on the bottom bunk.
- Has been potty-trained for 6 months, thanks to his big brother's inspiration and grandmother's encouragement.
- Is a bit protective of his mother when it comes to her holding other children. The transition of adding two girls could be a bit interesting...
- LOVES music, especially Coldplay and Ebenezer.

Here's a pic of my boys from Owen's first day of school, which was also just a few days before Gibson's Gotcha Day.

Hide in the Corner

When Owen first arrived home he wanted to hear the song "Corner" by Allie Moss ALL THE TIME. I think he must have been playing with one of our phones (in our not knowing what else to do with a child dropped into our lap! ha) and discovered it. He knew ZERO English at this point but this song was so soothing to him. It is crazy how the words describe exactly how he must have been feeling. 

Lyrics to "Corner" by Allie Moss
When your world trembles and quakes
And your footing suddenly shifts and shakes

Take my hand
We'll hide in the corner, hide in the corner
Take my hand
We'll hide til it's over, til it's all over

We have choices to make
We have promises that we can't break
There is nothing left to lose
So hold on to me, I'll hold on to you

Take my hand
We'll hide in the corner, hide in the corner
Take my hand
We'll hide til it's over, til it's all over


He has been asking to hear it again lately, though I don't think it's because he is having similar feelings as he did when he arrived, he just wants to have a song to request constantly because his little brother is always requesting "Paradise" by Coldplay :). However, it has made me reflect on that time and also look ahead to the feelings our sweet girls will be having when they arrive home. Their world will be quaking (as will ours) but we will hold their hands through it. We have made a promise to do that. And we may all be hiding in a corner for a while :)

Pizza on the Grill

One of our weekly summer meals is pizza on the grill. It is SOOO yummy, quick, fun and a good way to avoid heating up the kitchen. I use the Betty Crocker recipe for the pizza dough and a slightly altered version of this sauce recipe (I use a 6 oz can of tomato paste, 1 1/4 c water, and 1/4 c honey).

Here's the grilled pizza process:

1. Mix up the dough

2. While the dough rises, make the pizza sauce, pre heat the grill (to 350-400 (ish)), and prep the toppings (we typically do pepperoni, onions, peppers, cheese - you'll want to have these on a tray that you can take out near the grill so you're ready to throw the toppings on)

3. Roll out the dough, transfer to pizza pan and take everything outside.

4. Grease the grill grate with olive oil, and place pizza dough directly on grill. Allow to cook ~2 min or until grill marks are clear, dough has cooked through.

5. Remove from grill, flipping grilled side up onto pizza pan. Top (on grilled side) with toppings - this should be done as quickly as possible to avoid crust sticking to pan.

6. Put pizza back onto grill, and allow to cook ~4-6 min more or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Black Bean Burgers

My good friend Libby Asay shared her black bean burgers with us a while back and Bobby absolutely LOVED them (I loved them too, but Bobby LOVED them :)). I'm finally adding them to our regular rotation and so far have received thumbs up from everyone at our table.

Libby's recipe is found here and pasted below with my touches.

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 egg
2 cloves garlic
1 c bread crumbs
2 t cumin
2 t chili powder

corn meal for coating
oil to fry

Blend beans, egg and garlic in food processor. Stir in dry ingredients. Form into burgers and coat with corn meal. Fry in olive oil until crispy. We eat them "naked," a.k.a. without a bun, topped with tomato, avocado and chipotle mayo or chipotle salad dressing of some sort.

Delish!

Adoption Update: Match Made!

We have been matched with the two little girls we are adopting! We are SO excited to get to see their faces, pray for them by name, and share them with friends and family. We can't share pictures of them online until our adoption is complete and they are in our arms, in order to protect them and the adoption process, but we will certainly share privately if you ask! 

Of course, being matched with our precious girls does make us all the more anxious to have them in our arms...and brings on significant bills to be paid. We are partnering with Lifesong for Orphans to raise funds to put towards adoption costs (including foster care, agency fees, travel, etc.). If you feel led to contribute, funds donated to Lifesong for Orphans between now and the completion of our adoption, will be given to help cover these expenses. As a 501(c)3 organization, your gift is tax deductible. Make checks payable to "Lifesong for Orphans" with "Preference: Scott/#2784 Adoption" in the memo. 

Please send any donations to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40/202 N Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744


We are so encouraged by many who have already donated and supported us through this fundraiser! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Praising God for His faithfulness!

Tacos de Calabacitas

We enjoyed these yummy "tacos" this week and I'd forgotten how simply wonderful they were! Just summer vegetables and a few seasonings and you have something awesome! Owen LOVED them and Gibson ate them, so we're happy about that :)

Here is the recipe including my slight variations:

Tacos de Calabacitas
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c minced onion
1/2 c diced yellow summer squash (can sub zucchini)
1/2 c diced zucchini
1/2 c corn kernels, preferably fresh (but frozen works too)
1/2 c diced peppers (I use red, yellow, and green)
1 can tomatoes with green chiles
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 t dried oregano
salt
1/2 c Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese (optional)
8 corn tortillas (I used flour)
1 T minced cilantro
avocado

1. Over medium heat, sauté onion in oil. Add squab, zucchini, corn and peppers. Sauté until squash and  zucchini are lightly browned (~3 min). Add tomato, oregano and salt to taste.

2. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until squash, zucchini and tomatoes release their juices and begin to blend (~5-7 min). Uncover and adjust salt as needed. Sprinkle with cheese and cover until cheese is melted.

3. Warm tortillas in heavy skillet over medium heat, about 1 min each side.

4. Fill tortillas with equal portions of filling, sprinkle with cilantro and top with avocado.