The Grand Introduction!

So the great indoctrination, er I mean introduction begins! Rich and I are big game people. We both descend from families that love playing card games, board games, etc. During our early married years, we would plan each weekend around having people over who we could play 4+ player games with and there were other nights where we would be frequently locked in a deadlock over some game until late in the evening.

Alexander's Omama and Opapa (both skilled and avid card players) gave him the game CandyLand for his birthday. He LOVES it. He even gets the give and take of turns. Thankfully though he has not quite grasped the concept of winning/losing. I'm not quite sure I'm ready for meltdowns if he loses... :) For now, he is just enjoying the game.

We've also been playing Concentration (with weather cards that I made for our first learning day). Any other ideas out there of games a 3 year old might enjoy/understand?!?!?

Very soon now, we'll be moving on to the all important next phase of introducing him to Kids of Cataan the obvious precurser to the mother of all games! ;) Thanks Jen and Joe for the introduction many years ago!

Always learning...

We had fun at learning day, even though there were only two boys. We've been learning about letter sounds, so we spent a part of the day mmmixing up some homemade playdough. Both boys LOVED getting to help out and enjoyed making letters, inchworms and whatever else struck there fancy with the fruits of their "mixing" labor.

Today we got to see Caden again. In order for Keegan to get a nap (so he'll be rested for his day or travel tomorrow) we swapped kids. Keegan stopped to take a nap with Zoe and Caden came with us for my monthly visit to the midwife. The boys loved exploring around the pond and waterfall outside the office as well as getting the chance to listen to this new little baby's heartbeat! To top it off, each boy was given a balloon!

Little do they know how much more familiar they will become with the plow as we get ready to start a farm theme for next month...

And lastly, I couldn't resist including a picture of my Keegan trying to wear my sunglasses during Learning Day!

He's a Cubbie!

Last night was Alexander’s first night of Awana! My little boy is a Cubbie! Awana is an amazing Bible memory club whose purpose is to reach boys and girl with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was such a powerful tool during my childhood in helping me have a foundation solidly built in the Word. I continue to reap the benefits each day from the hundreds of verses committed to memory through this amazing program.

So it was with great anticipation that Xander and I set out last night. He loved singing songs, playing games and learning the verse/theme of the week. Not only did they not have a problem with me staying (since I didn't know anyone), but they actually offered! He fell asleep chanting “All have sinned”(Rom 3:23) and woke up still remembering! They learned about the meaning of this verse as well as, “...while we were sinners… Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) It was so precious to see him grab a hold of these gospel truths explained in a way that even a 3 year old could understand. The book that we will be going thru does an amazing job at equipping the parents to really help their children explore these amazing truths at home before they talk about them again on Sunday evening during Cubbies. I am excited to have the accountability and guidance as I seek to teach him about the wonderful God we serve!

Pictures to come, as soon as he gets his little vest! :)

I've Been Tagged...

...for recipes! My friend, Tara, tagged me to provide 4 of my favorite everyday recipes... So here goes w/ my top 3 all-family favorites (important since I don't cook multiple meals to cater to different tastes) and one that Rich and I love, but the boys have yet to acquire the taste for...


Chicken Veronique(This has to be the all-time favorite for my boys. Rich would eat it every week if I felt like preparing it that often. It is a great standby because I know that each of them will chow down and give me happy looks afterwards!)
· 4 Tbs butter
· 4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded thin.
· 1/3 c dry white wine or dry sherry
· 1tsp basil
· ½ tsp thyme
· ½ tsp salt
· 1 c heavy whipping cream
· 1 c seedless green grapes

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Rinse chicken breasts and dry on paper towels. Quickly sauté until golden on both sides. Add wine, herbs and salt. Cover and simmer slowly about 5 minutes. To test doneness, press finger in thickest part of chk breast; meat should spring back. Do not overcook. Place chicken breasts on a plate and cover loosely with skillet lid to keep warm. Quickly boil pan juices until syrupy (approx 2-3 min). Add whipping cream. Boil until slightly thickened. Stir grapes into cream. Cook briefly to heat grapes through. Stir in any juices that have drained from the chicken breasts. Arrange chicken breasts on plates w/ pasta (we prefer egg noodles) and spoon sauce over. 4 servings. We like to serve with sautéed spinach and steamed carrots!

Chicken Tetrazini
(This is my family's standard potluck meal. It freezes great, so I often double the recipe and freeze half (after assembled, but before the final bake) for a later date when I know I won't have time to pull dinner together. Again, all of my boys LOVE this dish. It is a kid favorite that I tend to make if we are having friends over who have small children.)
Serves 4

2 chicken breasts, cooked/diced
Approx 5 c cooked pasta (shell or other small pasta shape)
(I usually shoot for 6 servings according to the pasta packaging)
¼ c butter melted
1 c cut mushrooms (optional), cook in butter that you melt.
1 ¼ c sour cream
1 can cream of celery
¼ heaping tsp poultry seasoning
½ tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Parmesan
Paprika

1) Cook pasta as directed on package, drain and place in 13x9 pan.
2) Mix cooked chicken (I add any juices generated) with all remaining ingredients except parmesan and paprika. Pour over the top of the noodles.
3) Top with sprinkled parmesan and paprika
4) Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

This is an easy recipe to freeze and cook. Once everything is ready to pop in the oven, you just put it in the freezer instead. Often times I’ll line a pan with foil and pour the freezer portion in. That way once it is frozen I can pop it out of the pyrex dish to store in my freezer, but then it’s the right shape when I go to pull it out. Thaw and cook as directed. It might need 1-2 tbs of milk added since the freezing process tends to dry it out just a bit.

Pizza Dough recipe (makes 4 pizzas)
(Again, I'm a big fan of freezing for later use. I've taken lately to making two batches one right after the other, so I can make two pizza's and freeze the other 6 dough balls. This whole grain pizza dough is good for you and what kid - or man, can resist pizza. We mix it up with different toppings, but I always keep sauce in my pantry and pepperoni and mozzarella in my freezer!)

This recipe is designed to be made in a kitchen aid. It will need adjusting if you don't have a mixer with a dough hook since it will need to be kneaded.

· 1 c cooked quinoa, millet mixture - or just quinoa (to prepare, boil 3/4 c water and add 1/2 c grains. Cook for 18m) (This is optional. If you don’t want to use the cooked grains, just add 1 c flour instead)
· 2 c hot water or beer (100-120degrees)
· 1 c sourdough starter (can be found at any food specialty shops I can imagine. If you're local, I can provide you with some since it is easy to replenish and keep it going.)
· ¼ c sugar
· ¼ c olive oil
· ¼ c yeast
· 1 tbs salt
· 2.5 c wheat flour
· White flour

Cook grains. Add grains, flour, hot water/beer, sourdough starter, olive oil, wheat flour and sugar. Top w/ yeast. Mix. Add white flour until dough pulls away from sides of the bowl. Knead for 6 min w/ dough hook. Remove to bowl w/ olive oil. Let rise until doubled (45-60m)

Divide into four sections. Wrap unneeded portions in plastic wrap and place in freezer. Roll out to desired thickness. Top w/ favorite ingredients and take on a 500 degree pre-heated pizza stone for 5-8 minutes. If using a non pre-heated stone, cook at 450 for 10-12 minutes (but may need a bit longer).

To use frozen dough – pull out of freezer and allow to thaw. Roll out as normal.

And finally...

Machaca
(Rich and I adore this recipe. We usually just do quesadillas for the kids when we make this. Keegan will eat it sometimes chopped up in his quesadilla, but Xander won't touch it...)
· 2 lb beef roast
· 1 large onion, sliced
· 2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies
· 2 beef bouillon cubes
· 1 ½ tsp dry mustard
· ½-1 tsp garlic powder
· 1 tsp seasoning salt
· ½ tsp pepper
· 1 c salsa

Combine all ingredients except salsa in slow cooker. Add just enough water to cover half way.
Cover, cook on low 10-12 hours. Drain and reserve liquid.
Shred beef using 2 forks to pull it apart.
Combine beef, salsa and enough of the reserved liquid to desired consistency. Let set on warm setting for at least 20 more minutes to let juices settle into the meat. (NOTE: I have never added the salsa as the recipe calls for. I usually forget, so I’m not sure if it would improve the taste or not…)
Use this filling for burritos, chalupas, quesadillas or tacos. Leftovers for this also freeze well, so we will usually freeze enough to keep on hand for a last minute lunch idea!

LASTLY, I tag Evie, Bethy, Mom and Rachel to provide 4 of their favorite recipes! Come on, I know you are all fabulous cooks, so let's see some more! I'm ready to mix-up my menu some more. Ok, off to browse and copy down some previous recipes to try!!!

Dad

Last Sunday was Dad’s birthday. I’m blessed because not only is he an awesome dad, but he’s been an incredible example to me of what it means to humbly and wholeheartedly follow Christ.

No one has faith like my Dad does. I remember asking my mom a couple of months ago how he can still have such strong faith for God’s miraculous work even when things don’t turn out like he thought. She told me that his faith is built when he reads of God’s faithfulness to His people in scripture. Seems a little “duh”, but sometimes, I just gloss over and I’m not awed at examples of God meeting needs in supernatural ways.

My dad’s faith is built in this way because he spends consistent time EVERY day with God. Seeing him with his Bible and in prayer every day was normal in our home. Even when we would go on vacation, he would grab a chair (if we were camping) and head just a bit out of camp and settle down to spend time with God. I see the fruit in his life and know that time spent with Jesus has a profound affect on him.

I remember several times over the years where my dad would feel bad that we didn’t have “regular” family devotions. But I think he provided something of far greater value to us. He and my mom, showed by example how to integrate their faith into everyday life. It was not uncommon for one of them to bring up what God was teaching them in the Bible during a meal and they ALWAYS put aside whatever they were doing if we had any spiritual questions – even late at night! He’s always had a knack for getting thru the emotionalism that can sometimes rule us as women and get to the heart of the issue in a rational, God-honoring way.

As a homeschool family, my mom had the role of primary teacher. Dad, however, took on the role of “principal.” Whenever mom had discipline issues, she would always call Dad at work, explain the situation and then have the offending child (most often me) talk with him. I don’t remember my dad ever yelling at me or losing his temper. But we could tell by his voice that he was grieved that we were rebelling in x way against my mom (and God). None of us could remain hard-hearted after talking to Dad. His Christ-like reaction to our sin (being seriously grieved by it, not condoning it in anyway, but expressing his love for us all the same), would completely undue us and full repentance would usually quickly commence.

Not only was he instrumental in each of his three daughter’s lives, but he’s also played an active mentoring role in the lives of many young men. Young men have always been drawn to my dad. I remember a neighborhood boy – about 5th or 6th grade, coming over just to hang out with my Dad. He would follow Dad around, asking him questions and helping with things around the house. (For the record, he was NOT interested in any of us girls) From when I was quite young up thru today, he has always had guys (many of whom have little to no relationship with the three of us) who he regularly meets with, golf’s with, etc… In each of these relationships, he is always carefully seeking God’s direction in how to bless their lives. I’m excited that my boys will be the rich recipients of such a special relationship with their Opa!

I could go on and on, but for the sake of space I will stop. Happy Birthday, Dad! Thanks for being who God has called you to be and for always being there for us!