Adoption day

Last Friday Lil M and I celebrated our 2nd adoption family day. Well, I did. She doesn't quite know what it all means yet. :) But she will! I treated us, and sis and nephew, to Indian food and Starbucks. I know it wasn't Chinese food for our anniversary, but it was a treat. :) We all love Indian food. Yes, even Lil M had some!!

It's been a wonderful 2 years together. I just can't believe how fast it's gone and how much she's grown!! I'm still completely happy with the decision to go it alone. I know people find that odd, but it works for me/us.

Here's to another 2, 10, 80 years of family days and happiness Lil M!!! :) Mommy loves you.

Peace.

Chicken potato corn chowder recipe

I made a new recipe... and sort of made most of it up myself! :) Here it is. It turned out quite good. I think the key is to put the milk products in toward the end and turn it on simmer.

1lb chicken (cooked and chunked)
10-15 potatoes (i wanted this to be predominately a potato soup)
2 cans corn
4 cups or more of chicken broth (to cover the potatoes - i used chicken broth that i had made from a chicken before. you can use water here, but i think it gives it more flavor)
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 can condensed milk
1 cup milk

I cut up probably 12 potatoes (peeled and cubed) and put them in a pot of chicken broth only (probably 4 cups) - bring to boil

I took about 1lb of grilled chicken breast that i cooked the night before... it was cold, and i cut it up in small chunks.

Added 2 cans of corn
Added the 1lb cubed chicken
Added some spices - maybe 1/4 tsp onion powder and dehydrated onion, pepper

Then after about 20 minutes,
add 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup
add 1/2 can of condensed skim milk
add about 1 cup of whole milk

Turn on low and cook until the potatoes are done. :) Season to taste.


Peace.

Moving forward

I've mentioned many a time to friends, family and my fellow bloggers that I have a heart for adoption. (or perhaps that's just really obvious anyway!!) A couple of months ago I started the process to get certified as a foster/adoptive parent with my state. I've gone through all the classes (except CPR and one make-up class), and am ready to start my homestudy. But here's the thing, as I've been going through the process I've been praying about what is best for Lil M and me together. And right now, I'm hesitant to bring a child into the house that is older than Lil M. I'm not 100% sure that being a therapeutic home would be the best thing for us right now, because it will take a lot more energy, resources and time. And, I'm conscious of my own daughter and her needs. She's not super-needy, by any means, but I want to make sure I give her what she needs, too. And she's not even 3 years old, yet. So, I'm re-considering another international adoption (of another infant).

That leads me to Kazakhstan. The biggest reason, so far, to go with Kaz is because they allow adoptions of infants. They also have children of Asian descent available for adoption. The biggest negative - the cost. So... again... I pray. (I've also started a separate blog to write my thoughts down about this process, and it is closed right now, but if you want to be able to read it, send me a request and I'll add you.)

God has put me in a place in life where I am moved by adoption. Whatever got me here, I'm happy with my decisions and I am open to the future and what it holds for me and for us as a family. The other nice thing is that Scott and I talked about all this and he is in agreement of me looking into Kaz. So, even though the plan is for me to do this as a single again, he's on board with the decision. That's good. :)

Of course, if I can't afford it, nothing will happen. So... pray, pray, pray!!!

Peace.

Feel better

I'm starting to feel better this morning... whew, finally!! I'm not sure how long it will last, or it if will all day, but so far so good.

Lil M is doing great. She was looking through one of her books the other night, that has those push-buttons on the right that say the numbers... and she would count the items on the page (like ducks) and tell me the number and then pick it out on the right side. :) Very smart my little one!! Lest you forgot, she's 2 years 9 months old. She was able to count up to 6 on the page. :) After that she got a little unsure.

Anyway... it's Tuesday! Go make the best of it!

Peace.