Help Bring Home Kirill

Ben and I have been following this family's story. Tesney and her husband, Greg, are trying to adopt a precious child from Russia. But Kirill has Down Syndrome and the Russian court system has deemed him unadoptable. In fact they were in court preparing to finalize the adoption papers when, as Tesney describes it - the judge said ”that Kirill was “not socially adaptable” due to his “medical condition” and he was better off in an institution than in a home with a family." Kirill needs a family and the Davis' want to give it to him. They are fighting with everything they have to bring their son home.

We are blessed to be a part of a call to pray for them. We are spending today doing just that - fasting and praying for their situation.

 Grab this button.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this wonderful family and the boy they are trying to adopt. If you feel called to do so, lift them up in prayer to our Almighty God and Father and help in whatever way you can.

Menu Monday

On the Menu this week:

• Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
  
  
• Shrimp Scampi
  
  
• Tacos
  
  
• Beefy Potatoes
  
  
• Chicken Crescents & Rice Pilaf

Asher's First School Photo

Menu Monday

Here's what's being served up at Casa de Grizzle this week. Happy Monday!

• Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad and Bread
  
  
• Golden Chicken & Noodles
  Slow Cooker Recipe
  
  
• Teriyaki Turkey Burgers & Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
  
  
• Meatball Subs
  Made from leftover meatballs.
  
  
• Greek Beef Stew
  Slow Cooker Recipe

Oma & Poppa Come for a Visit

We were blessed to have my parents with us last week. Poor Asher ended up having double ear infections the whole time they were. It turned out well though, because 1) Asher was still in a great mood, as always and 2)I was glad to have them here to take care of my sweet baby.

He might have gotten a little spoiled. They brought Asher the cutest Easter basket full of great stuff! It was all wrapped up so cute and I forgot to take a photo of it. (Kicking myself now).

We had a great time with them. Even though we weren't able to get out and do as much as we  normally would if Asher had been feeling well. Friday night Ben and I got to have a bonafide date night. It was WONDERFUL! We ate dinner at Dyron's Low Country (a delicious place to get Shrimp & Grits in Mt. Brook). We filled ourselves to the gills on the super yummy food and TWO desserts before heading to a movie. It was so nice! Although, I think Oma, Poppa & Asher had just as much fun as we did. Asher got to do a little shopping. Since he grew out of most of his pajamas almost literally overnight, Oma and Poppa took him out and restocked his PJ drawer.

Saturday we spent some time driving around town and showing my parents some great places to live! Maybe, just maybe...

With things being so low key, I kept forgetting to take pictures. But we got a few the morning my parents were leaving. It was bittersweet. Seeing them leave is always so hard. But we look forward to seeing them again in June for a trip to the beach and maybe even again before then!

We love you, Oma & Poppa!

Recipe Review

I had a few people ask for recipes from this week's menu. Here are my recipes, tips and reviews.

• Chicken Parmesan Penne, Salad and Garlic Bread - This is a skillet meal that we bought at Sam's this weekend. It was one of their free samples and was pretty good. We picked up a bag because this is something Ben can cook one night when I'm not in the mood. Review: Tasty!
  
  
• Chicken Stir Fry & Steamed Broccoli  - This is a Kraft Foods recipe and is SUPER easy. We eat it A LOT. I have posted it before {HERE}.
  
• Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Corn & Bacon Biscuits - I just put 2 pork tenderloins in the crock pot on low with some BBQ Sauce. I made my own BBQ sauce for this one. I am still perfecting my recipe, so for now I would just suggest doing your fave sauce. Mine was just Okay. Bacon Biscuits were a recipe that was in the March issue of Southern Living. I wasn't crazy about them, but I think I might change a few things up and try them again. I'll get back to you if I discover something worth sharing.
  
  
• BLT Benedict with Avacado & Tomato Relish - from the March Issue of Southern Living. Haven't made this one yet.
  
  
• BBQ Pork Quesadillas (made from leftover BBQ) & Mexicorn Casserole - Quesadillas are a no brainer. The Mexicorn Casserole is a recipe that I got from my good friend, Martina. It is one of my most favorite! Here it is:
  

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Thank you to my good friend, Ashley, for sharing this wonderful recipe! She actually brought these to us after Asher was born. Ben wasn't so sure about them at first. He is more of a brown-sugar-and-butter-sweet-potatoes kind of guy. But he loved them! We make them at least once a week now. I have passed them on already - my parents and Betty make them and love them too! Thanks, Ashley!

My Favorite Things

Wow. Haven't done one of these in awhile. Here are a few items that make my life a little better. (As if it isn't already good enough. Have I mentioned that I LOVE being a Mommy?!?!)

Vera Bradley All in One in Black Microfiber. I was using a wristlet/wallet that would hold my cell phone, debit card, keys and some cash. I could just throw in Asher's Diaper Bag and the best part was that I got it at Target for something like $10 and was loving it. Until I broke my iPhone and had to start using an Otterbox. Bless those things - they save your phone but darnit if they aren't the bulkiest and ugliest little contraptions. My phone would no longer fit in my cute Target wallet. After looking around for a couple of weeks , I finally I decided on the All in One Wristlet by Vera Bradley. I was hesitant because Vera Bradley was never really my thing. It is cute, but the prints didn't really speak to me. Nevertheless, I headed to Wrapsody to pick one up. I was trying to find a print that was "me" when the sweet sales girl showed me the all black version! So happy. Now I use it all day, every day and never forget how much I love it.

Quaker True Delights in Blackberry Pomegranate

Swiss Cheez-Its

Caldrea Stainless Steel Cleaner in Ginger Citron. This stuff cleans great and smells wonderful!

Shark Steam Mop

Bacon. I used to HATE bacon. Even the smell of it. Pregnancy changed that. Now I make pancakes and bacon for breakfast every Saturday morning and have gotten a little obssessed with recipes that include my new favorite ingredient, Bacon!

Little Golden Books. I must have had a hundred of them when I was little. Ben and I both loved to read as a kid and I am crossing my fingers that Asher does too!

Sam's Auctions - did y'all know about these? You can go on Sam's website and bid on their merchandise. I got a Wolfgang Puck grill/griddle that is currently selling on amazon.com for $100 for FORTY DOLLARS! Whoot whoot! Brand new. It's gonna make some good pancakes and bacon this weekend!


Roasted Sweet Potatoes - I'll post the recipe in the next blog.

My Crock Pot. It's so nice to come home to a hot meal! I really want one with a timer. Maybe I can find one on the Sam's Auctions.

Menu Monday

My blog friend, Rachel, posts her meal plan for the week every Monday. I like seeing what she has on her menu because it helps to give me inspiration. I have a tendency to get stuck in a rut and make the same things over and over again. My menu may not do the same thing for you, but just in case...I think I might start doing this every week.

Here is what is on the Grizzle Family Menu this week:

• Chicken Parmesan Penne, Salad and Garlic Bread
  
• Chicken Stir Fry & Steamed Broccoli
  
• BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Corn & Bacon Biscuits
  (Slow Cooker)
  
• BLT Benedict with Avacado & Tomato Relish
  (from the March Issue of Southern Living)
  
• BBQ Pork Quesadillas & Mexicorn Casserole
  (made from leftover BBQ)

Have a great week!!!