We Are a Happy Family!

Our dream came true yesterday.  We have had our beautiful little girl since the day after she was born.  We have always considered her our daughter, but having it made official, in a court of law, made it real, made it permanent.

Before we went to court, my nerves were getting the best of me.  I felt sick to my stomach and my breakfast almost made a reappearance.  I just couldn't believe it was happening, but it did.

The judge was so nice, the hearing was quick and I cried as it was made official.

I finally climbed my Mt. Everest... and the view is amazing.

Has It Really Been 3 Months?

We have had our sweet girl almost 3 months now.  It has been a roller coaster ride and the biggest learning experience of my life.

I have learned:

That life isn't about me and what I want anymore.  It is about providing for our daughter and doing what is best for her.

Doing things when I want at the exact time I want is a thing of the past.  I have to schedule my life around what works best for our child.

Hot meals are a luxury.  It seems that she is hungry when I am and I have learned to like cold or reheated food.  

Showers need to be quick.  Not that I took a long time before, but now, they happen in the blink of an eye.

Patience is a necessity for motherhood.  It was necessary while waiting to become a mother and even more so now.  

Being critical of other parents was easy before I became one.  I can understand why other parents say, feel and do certain things now.  I used to silently judge them, but as much as I don't want to admit this, it was because I didn't understand. 

That no matter how frazzled or frustrated I get, her smile makes everything right again.

OH, there are so many more things that I have learned and have yet to learn.  I am looking forward to the journey.

It Finally Happened!!

My last post announced that we were chosen by a birth mother.  The Lord felt it was time to answer our prayers.  We are finally parents!!

Introducing our beautiful daughter Sophia.  She was born January 29th, 16 days early!  Our birth mother almost delivered in the car.  It was close, but they did make it to the hospital (BARELY!!).  She was born in the hallway at the hospital!

We were able to spend several hours at the hospital with our birth mother before going back to Mike's brother's house in Albuquerque.  We stayed there waiting for the relinquishment hearing that took place in Grants, NM.

We attended the hearing at the request of our birth mother.  After it was over, she handed me a letter before she left.  I sat in the hall of the court house and read the letter.  It was so beautiful.  I just sobbed.  All of the emotion that I had been holding in, waiting for this to happen came out.

We feel so blessed and humbled to have this sweet spirit in our lives.

Thank you to all of you who have supported us through this long and uphill journey to parenthood.  

The Best Gift Ever!

The day before Thanksgiving we received an email from our adoption attorney about a possible adoption situation.  There were some details that she needed to disclose to gauge our interest.  Ad after discussion and prayer, we told her we were still interested.

We put together a paper profile and she presented our profile (along with a few others) to the birth mother.  After what seemed like FOREVER, our attorney called us to let us know that the birth mother chose us!!!!!!!

So, if all works out, we will be parents in February!!!

Best.  Christmas.  Ever!

Creamy Chicken Piccata

I love finding new recipes.  I was looking for something to make dinner and couldn't think of anything, so I turned to the internet and found this dish.

My husband REALLY liked it, (honestly, so did I).  It is another keeper recipe.

The blog I found it on adapted this recipe from the Pioneer Woman.  I adapted it yet again.

The marinated chicken.  Can you see the basil and pepper???  Ohhhh... the goodness!
The "juice" is some of the marinade and water from the chicken.
The excess liquid does evaporate.  

See??  The extra liquid is gone.  

The sauce was REALLY lemony and that is why I adapted the recipe.
It's not that I don't like lemon, but it totally took over the flavor of the sauce.
I also omitted the capers.  I am not a fan of them.

Here is the finished product.  OMG!!!  

Creamy Grilled Chicken Piccata
inspired by The Pioneer Woman

Chicken
6 Tbsp lemon juice
6 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp basil
8 hand trimmed thin cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta & Sauce
1 package penne pasta cooked

4 Tbsp butter
12 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 pint half and half (or heavy cream)
½ tsp nutmeg

4 tsp dried basil
2 Tbsp capers
2 cups grated fresh parmesan cheese

2 tsp chicken base

Chicken
Combine first 6 ingredients in Ziploc bag and mix well.  Place chicken in the bag with the marinade Marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator. 

Start pasta about 5 minutes ahead of everything and cook according to directions.

Cook chicken in a frying pan.  Once chicken is done, remove chicken and let rest.  In same pan, melt butter over medium heat.  Whisk in chicken base, garlic and lemon juice.  Pour in half and half and nutmeg then whisk until hot.  Add the parmesan cheese, basil and capers, then heat until cheese is melted.  Toss in pasta.

Slice chicken into strips and serve over pasta.