a collection of adoption stories

I think my own long and often hard road to becoming a mom makes me especially drawn to infertility and adoption stories. I wrote this post for Little Dreamer Designs and am sharing it here as well. Please give it wings and help spread the news of this family's desire to grow to 5.

scrapbooking: serving an even greater purpose

A few weeks ago, creative team member scrappinbec (Rebecca) shared that she and her family were about to embark on a new journey, one they had traveled before and were ready to revisit for a third time...the adoption journey. I was so moved by her sharing this with us at Little Dreamer that I asked if I could share her Adoption Collage on the LD blog.

(View layout details HERE)

Rebecca and her husband have been blessed by the adoptions of their two sons and hope to grow swiftly and lovingly into a family of 5. Their adoption blog can be viewed here and I urge you to read it and share it. You just never know who will make the connection or when, so this is a chance to pay it forward.

Just this week, I read of a wonderful adoption story whose happy ending was fueled by the good of the internet, especially the blogging community. Their "adoption button" was shared and they are currently snuggling a little girl born in March. I love happy endings!

And as an avid blog reader, I hope each day for the official announcement of this baby girl's anticipated arrival into her parent's arms over at Posie Gets Cozy. And while I wait, I am thrilled by each creation made for their expected bundle of joy.

These wonderful stories just make me feel good. I hope they strikes a chord with you too.

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one room makeover-in progress

I have been super scarce b/c Friday and Saturday for me (and continuing into today for Dave) were totally occupied by the master bedroom makeover. It is painted, a brown that I really love. And as of yesterday, the headboard is finished and in place. Dave is still working on the gigantic closet overhaul and no new decor has been installed but I was too anxious not to share at least this. The headboard is kinda short so I think we may raise it if possible b/c with shams, it would be completely covered. And I worked too hard for that to happen...

I just ordered 4 yards of this fabric to make my shams:You can see the side table peeking out here. I think I may paint those both white like the headboard and distress them and go with black knobs. Input?

And one more of a corner of the room where the paint is a bit truer.

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spring break

We are enjoying day 3. So far, the weather has been wonderful. We have had sleepovers, an afternoon at the park, much bike riding and playing outdoors and even 3 XL pizza shared with the neighbors last night outside. Fun. In between all of this, I have been squeezing in my work.

For today, Wednesday, I had some burritos from an old Rachael Magazine (which the page is dateless unfortunately) slated for dinner. I cannot seem to find the recipe online so I am going to share it here. So simple and from my taster bites straight out of the pot, extra yummy too.

Southwestern Burrito Bar (I think it was recommended for a party in the mag)

In a large skillet, simmer 1lb lean ground beef, stirring to break up the meat. Add a 16 oz jar salsa, 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and a 10 oz bag of corn, thawed. Season with salt and cook through. Serve with flour tortillas and your favorite burrito fixins.

** Ok, I only had about a 1/3 of a jar of salsa so I added 3/4 or a can of enchilada sauce to that. My corn was from a can...I made due with what I had on hand and it was great.

Another aside, after I made the Deen Brothers lime chicken, I saved all of the left over meat removed from the bones. Yesterday, I mixed some of the meat with ranch dressing and added that to a soft tortilla lined with lettuce and I sprinkled bbq sauce on top--it was delicious. I am having that again for lunch tomorrow.

Happiness is quicky, easy but tasty meals. If only my kids would eat them too... Pin It

Menu Plan Monday

I am not sure which blog was the first onewhere I stumbled upon this concept but many clicks and links later, I have read, bookmarked and printed many o' recipes! Tonight we had this recipe from the Deen Brothers: Bobby's Baked Chicken with Dijon and Lime. And this recipe Cheesy Potato Strips. which I read, failed to bookmark and had to unearth through an extensive google search involving just the right combination of phrases!

Both, totally yummy. Those potatoes that have soaked up the milk during the baking have an amazing and different taste. The chicken was perfect, super moist. I only wish the skin had been crispier and wonder if this could be done on the grill ?

Back to the Menu Plan Monday...this blog looks to be the originator, and if not the originator the keeper of the links! Just today, there are 260+ blogs linked with their meals for the week listed and MANY have links to recipes. For the past several months, I have been listing out a rough outline of my meals on a pad of paper designed for Sun-Sat meal planning. It has helped me to shop better and avoid eating out or bringing home fast food quite as often. This has given me a refreshed outlook and a new source for quick, easy recipes. Pin It

what's new?

new camera strap.

new much shorter haircut

dad riding a bike: that's new

practicing how to achieve sun flare=tricky

up next: showering my girls and getting ready for the easter bunny, church in the morning, lunch and egg hunt here, dinner and egg hunt with the in laws and then a week of spring break for the girls!
final photo: wonky, TALL, skinny shadows. i'd be so diggin' these long legs :)

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