The Young Family Farm »

SOO…tonight was African Family Fellowship night at our house! We TRY our best to get together once a month when we can. AND although it is crazy for everyone to come probably–I will speak for the crew and say we really think it’s worth it! While we were in the adoption process–we looked at other areas of the country and felt like there were amazing pockets of families who do life together…who all were called to grow their families through the miracle of adoption. We’d look around here–and while we were sure there were other families being called like ours–we just didn’t know them yet!

While there are millions of orphans throughout the world–God does care for them in very amazing and unique ways…in our group alone there are about 4 orphan ministries represented where we are caring for orphans across the globe through 60Feet, 410Bridge, Wiphan, and Passion…just to name a few represented by our group! It’s amazing to meet with these others and hear what God is doing through their ministries–but it is ALSO incredible to DO LIFE TOGETHER and to get to raise our FAMILIES TOGETHER!!! Crazy to think not every family could come tonight when you see how God has multiplied our group and brought us all together…

What I love so much about this group of people–is how each of these families has an AMAZING story how God called them to adoption. Each story is so unique–and their journeys are full of MIRACLES…as are each of their children. Some in this group have been home for years–while others are asking questions and praying…and just beginning their journeys…feeling like God is asking them to grow their families and be mommies and daddies to little ones they have yet to meet and instead of carrying under their heart for 9 months…they will be asked to carry a little one IN their heart and jump through hoops and wait and persue a precious one…to raise them in His ways and to have another little one running through and adding JOY to their lives!!!

I LOVE the perspective of these families…the perspective they have about what REALLY matters in life. I love that we have all been changed for the good–we’ve been refined and we are STILL being refined as we die to ourselves to love our children in ways that bring them a deeper sense of their identity in Christ and belonging in this world–that they were created for a PURPOSE and to know how LOVED they are! These families SHARPEN me…and I am just SO thankful that I get to do life with so many of them!!!

Jesus loves the little children…all the children of the world!!!! (And here is Mr.Silas feelin’ some of that love…he LOVES to ham it up at picture time!)

SOOO thankful tonight for these children who are home and for the littles ones who will soon be home!!! AND so thankful for these families and for God’s sweet provision for us through one another’s love and support!

Hope you all have a GREAT Sunday!

XOXO!

Andrea

It’s time for some SPRING cleaning…so I asked my Facebook friends for organization tips…which led me to the book store buying the book Organized Simplicity. I’m following her guide to de-cluttering, and I’m starting with the family room. Really–you do NOT want to hear details or see pictures! It’s a mess:). SOOO…I thought I’d help you guys GO GREEN in another way with your kiddos! St.Patrick’s Day is just a FEW days away!!!

SOOOO…here’s a few ideas I did last year that might give you all some time to get some of this green on yourselves!!! Here’s my 2 cents on GOING GREEN…

Make your kids a fun POT OF GOLD…

Our “pot of gold” made from limes…a dash of sugar and whipped topping inside…and then lemon jello…

This is super simple. Just cut open your lime–cleaning it out a bit. Add a little sugar, whipped topping (trust me on this), and then carefully cut tiny squares of lemon cut jello.

With the left over jello, you can make small cups of “gold” for snack time later!

GREEN drinks!

Lime-aide…All. Day. Long…YUM…

Ok…I thought this was gross…but they thought this was fun today…green milk…

And the milk and lime-aide will be perfect with this yummy veggie at dinner time–our FAVORITE here…brussel sprouts! Our kids LOVE these…but you HAVE to cook ’em like this for our to gobble them up!

Not a brussel sprout fan? Well, you just need to try this! Our kids BEG for them. We learned a trick while in New York visiting a chef with the Food Network. You have to slice them in half, sautee in olive oil (ONLY)…NO salt, pepper or flavoring! And you must sautee in a iron skillet. Sautee in olive oil for 4-5 mintues until lightly browned on edges—and then stick in oven in iron skillet at 350 degrees for 5 more mintues stirring occasionally. TRUST ME ON THIS! We serve these to dinner guests ALL the time and they try to make themselves and call us for instructions! It’s THAT easy. But you have to do it just like that…and they are like candy! YUM!
Just to vouch for these, two of my dearest friends Jett and Kelly both told me that hated brussel sprouts. I made them try them this way…and they LOVE THEM now!

AND…just to make you laugh–LAST YEAR–I was in charge of snacks for my son’s kindergarden class. I brought in everything green…the lime cups of gold, celery, limeaide, green peppers with dip……I was having so much fun and sent in just about everything I could think of! I spotted Wasibi Peas and sent them in but I NEVER had tasted them before and didn’t know how HOT they were. Unfortunately, my son’s teacher had never tasted them either. IMAGINE the response in a kindergarden class when a bunch of little 5 year olds popped THESE in their mouths…NOT good! Mom of the Year Award…right;)?!

Alright–so don’t forget to get your green on for St.Patrick’s Day on March 17th!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!