Lifesong/Both Hands Project - so cool!

This is a video of a Lifesong/Both Hands project here in Gridley! So cool! Love to see teenagers using their time in such a God - honoring way! Way to go Gridley Young Group!

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!!

My Mom turned 60 at the beginning of May so to celebrate, we had in some of her friends over for a luncheon. As usual, I am about 3 weeks behind on posting but it was a fun afternoon!

The table all set for the luncheon.

Mom, Donna, Brenda, Pat & Judy.

Rita, Val, Mom, Bonnie & Patsy.

The whole crew together.

My Aunt Teresa helped out and made the BEST sandwiches! Chicken salad and a BLT with fresh mozzarella cheese, panera bread and pesto sauce - yum-o!

Hope was the only grandchild invited too since the rest were in school.

I asked Mom's friends to write what they appreciated about her. Here are some themes about her...very friendly and makes me feel welcome, easy to talk too, always there for me, and bold for Christ.

I could not agree more with these! Mom, I so appreciate your compassionate heart. I remember many nights when I would get home for an activity, you would be waiting up in the living room to talk over the night. I also remember hearing you and Dad pray faithfully every morning and night ( and I know it is a sacrifice for you to get up early with Dad and stay awake for the prayer :-) ). You have wisdom that I appreciate. God has been so good to me through parents like you and Dad. I love you very much! Happy Birthday!

Love, Jill

Happy Birthday Haley!!!

Happy 10th Birthday to our sweet girl! Wow, ten years TODAY at 2:07 p.m. you were born in Fort Wayne, IN! We did not know if you were going to be a girl or boy and I was SO EXCITED when the doctor said "it's a GIRL!!" What a blessing you are Haley Rae!

Dad and I were house parents at Gateway Woods at the time. Aunt Natalie and Kendra had arrived from Bloomington the night I went into labor to watch Travor. God is good!

Another memorable part of your birthday is a few hours after you were born a tornado touched down in Ft. Wayne. Dad had gone back to Leo to get some things from home and the hospital staff moved all of us into the hall until the Tornado passed :-)

We love your spunk and fun-loving personality! We pray that you will continue to have a soft heart for the Lord and be soundly saved and passionately serving Him! Love, Dad & Mom

Haley, Hope and I had a fun time making Haley's birthday cake today. Haley saw this book about cupcake birthday cakes at the library and asked if we could make this dog one for her birthday. It was fun and turned out cute!

It was fun spending time with you today Haley! Happy Birthday!! Mom

Where is Hope?

I was making dinner and all the kids were outside playing besides Hope. It had been quiet for a long time. This is not a good thing when you have a three year old in the house. I went searching for her and almost tripped over her asleep in the middle of the living room!

As I thought about it, she did not have a nap today :-) Poor child. I guess she just laid herself down. I guarantee that this would not have happened with number 1 or 2 for that matter! I see how birth order does affect our personalities!

She woke up happy for dinner :-)

Caleb's Center Time

Caleb's Kindergarten teacher sent out an email to us this morning with these pictures that Caleb had drawn. Precious encouragement!

Andy and Jill,

I just wanted to share this neat story with you... Caleb was "writing the room" at centers the other day and looked up at me and said "I am going to write a Bible verse." I told him I couldn't wait to see which one he chose. I am attaching the pictures of what he wrote!

Andy's co-worker, Leah, sent this to him from one of Lifesong's family. It is too precious, I just had to pass it on. Praise God for a "visible Gospel" through adoption!

Scott & Susan have adopted 5 children…many with a special needs. Scott is in Ethiopia right now bringing home 14 year old, Letemeskel who is a sibling of two of their adopted sons (one is Levi—see below). Quite the story.

I copied her post below…absolutely precious.

Believing in God...by Levi Nichols

We were driving back home today from the store. It was warm, quiet and both Ethan and Levi were quietly looking out the car window.

Levi said," I like myself like this."
Me " What do mean? "
Levi " I really do believe now that I can talk to God."
Me." Huh."
Levi " I didn't believe it in Ethiopia. I was like 4 or something. Now I believe it."
Me " what do you mean Levi? Tell me more."
Levi, " Every night I say prayer, quietly, in Tigrinya. I say for my sister to come to America. I pray like you say. "
" Now she come to America and I believe God hear me when I talk Tigrinya or English. ."
" My life is good now,..... I believe God hear me."....." I hear him too. "

Levi...." mom why you cry?"
Me " I am proud, happy."
Levi " I do not understand girls cry when day happy."

Great Breakfast Recipes

Most mornings I feel like I offer the same breakfast options for our family - cereal, pancakes, eggs (when I have the time) or oatmeal. While we will be thankful since that is more choices than many others in the world, I have been looking for some new quick and nutritious breakfast recipes. I tried two new ones this week and really liked them both!

Glazed Cinnamon Scones (from Money Saving Mom blog)

Loved this one! It was fast to make and with the wheat flour and some milk, it is nutritious in my book! Next time I want to try doubling it and freezing the little pizza sliced individually for an even easier breakfast.

Glazed Cinnamon Scones

Recipe adapted from The Coupon Project

Scone Ingredients:

2 cups flour (I used half unbleached and half whole-wheat)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, separated
3 Tablespoons honey
1/3 cup buttermilk (or 1/3 cup milk mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice)

Crumb Topping (can be adjusted to your liking):

1-2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients (can be adjusted to your liking):

1 cup powdered sugar
1-3 teaspoons milk (enough to make a glaze)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

Separate the egg white and yolk. Set the egg white aside.

In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk, honey and buttermilk (or milk/lemon juice mixture). Add to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Form dough into a ball on a floured surface. Roll or pat out to half an inch in thickness and eight inches in diameter. Cut into eight equally-sized pieces.

Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Whisk the egg white until froth forms and brush over the tops of scones. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over egg-white-topped scones.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until glaze forms. Drizzle over scones after they bake.

A.M. RUSH ESPRESSO SMOOTHIE

* The coffee version is for Andy and I but I think you could leave out the espresso and give it to the kids.

1 c. cold fat-free milk

2 TBSP. vanilla flavoring syrup (I used Torani brand flavoring syrup and actually found it at Walmart in the coffee aisle, I had tried looking for it a Meijer the week before but could not find it)

2 c. ice cubes

1 med.banana, cut up

2 - 4 tsp.instant espresso powder (I could not find this at Walmart although it was probably there, so I used instant vanilla flavored coffee)

2 tsp.ground flaxseed

2 tsp. baking cocoa

In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process for 1 - 2 minutes or until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately. Makes two servings.

I have made the following recipe many times because it is a favorite.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE-CHIP MUFFINS:

*My cousin, Jessica, gave us this delicious recipe. She health-i-fied it up too. She is an amazing baker among her many other talents! I love this recipe because it is so yummy and it makes at least 24 muffins which I freeze for snacks or quick breakfasts.

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 (16 oz) can of pureed pumpkin

1 1/2 c. applesauce

3 c. whole-wheat flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 package chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and applesauce until smooth. Add in dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 16-20 minutes at 400 degrees. Makes 24 - 30 muffins