The most delicious fish sandwich that has ever crossed these lips. . . .

Blackened Tilapia Sandwich with Cilantro Mayo *

So the cupboard was pretty bare today, but I remembered a delicious recipe that I'd seen Paula Deen make yesterday (I watch while I'm feeding the little guy).  I stole the picture from the food network because Shane and I devoured ours before I could take a picture.  This is definitely going in the keep pile.  Yumsers!

*Photo credit Food Network

Adoption is . . .

. . . knee callousing, pride humbling, paper pushing, adventure.

. . . a glimpse into the beauty of my own salvation.

. . . a chance to share and educate.

. . . a way to build a family.

. . . a love that is as strong as biology.

. . . caring for the most vulnerable.

. . . a front row ticket to God's plan unfolding.

. . . the blessing of my husband.

. . . the boys that own large pieces of my heart.

Love is in the air. . .

I am absolutely smitten.  I have a little 10 lb package of cuteness who continues to amaze me everyday.  He's so precious.  We had a date at the ER for croup and this little man was wooing the nurses and snuggling with me.  He's been so happy and smiley and has even started to giggle despite his hoarse voice and barky cough.  Right now he's chatting with Tigger in his Pack-n-Play.  I can't imagine life before little Knox joined our little fam. 

Mom Tip: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . .

Every masterpiece he creates is precious; the scribble crayon landscapes and paint flecked scraps of paper.  So what do you do with all of the masterpieces that begin to pile up in your home?  I have a solution that may help.  I have a 12x12 scrapbooking storage box that I put G's most treasured or memorable creations.  What about the others?  (Remember, those precious pieces of artwork aren't memories, the time that you spent with them is)

When we are ready to make room for some new projects, I have found that sending them to a loved one is a great solution.  Those out of town grandparents or aunts and uncles love to see a little craftiness from my LO and it also serves as a great way to keep in touch.

Next time you find your refrigerator door is getting overcrowded, pull one of your little Picasso's lovely projects down and send it to someone you love.  They will love it too!

Low Country Stew

I like to cook, but I love it when I find a simple delicious meal that is economical and very easy.  Here is my latest discovery.  I found the recipe on E-mealz.  This site is a wonderful time-saving resource and very economical.  I used another site for 5 years that had menus and shopping lists, but the recipes on E-mealz have been delicious.  There are very few we have not liked.  Here it is:

Low Country Stew

8 small new red potatoes
1 large sweet onion, quartered
1 lb smoked Kielbasa (I used turkey)
2Tbs Old Bay Seasoning (a Maryland staple)
4-5 cups water
4-6 ears of corn on the cob halved (I didn't have so I subbed 3 cups of frozen beans)
1 lb large shrimp (frozen or fresh, shells on)

Put potatoes, onion, veg, and sausage in large pot with the water.  Stir in Old Bay. Bring to boil.  Reduce to medium for 10 min. Add shrimp.  Simmer 5-7 minutes until shrimp is done.  Drain in collander and serve with hot rolls and butter.

Mom Tip: Snack Attack

He prowls about seeking his prey . . .
He whines, he cajoles, he begs . . .
He looks for a moment of weakness in his parents . . .
He is a snack monster.

The problem is that this little monster doesn't like to eat his dinner.  My option is to make dinner time a miserable fight over 3 bites of this and a forkful of that or to try to curb the little monster during the day so that he is hungry at mealtime.

My solution was fairly simple and seems to have worked . . . so far.  I saved an old coffee can and covered it with some cool guy scrapbooking paper.  In the morning, Grae gets to choose 2 healthy snacks and a treat to put in his snack jar (1 snack b/w breakfast and lunch, 1 post nap nosh, and a treat for fun).  Once the stuff is gone, it's gone.  I also reserve the right to remove the treat.  My little snack monster doesn't growl as much and now we have a more pleasant mealtime. 

Almost perfect

So for years now I have been saying that I am a defeated perfectionist.  I have grand dreams of a spotless house, an up-to-date blog, a perfectly home-preschooled child, a baby on a routine, and a husband who is fed and happy.  This season of my life has been a reminder that I am . . . ridiculous.  I have been humbled at the lack of progress in each of these areas.  Thankfully, God is graciously reminding me that if I was perfect, I wouldn't need Him!  I have had to sacrifice my unreasonable expectations at the foot of my Savior's cross and resolve to try to do lots of little things well, not perfectly.  Though my house has dustbunnies, my blogging is irregular, my oldest only knows up to the letter D, my baby sleeps all the time, and my husband has had to settle for some less than stellar concoctions, I know that my Lord sees my heart and not my performance.