Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies

This is for Jenn. :)

Because I'm tired and don't want to type the recipe out follow the link and you'll see a yummy picture. Your palate will thank you when you devour these!

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=14463

One more thing-a Christmas challenge

Steve and I have decided to forgo giving gifts to one another this year. We are sending the money that we would spend on one another to Kingdom Vision International to sponsor a child or to use however they need it most. We know the Ethiopian director personally. He helped me at the American Embassy when I went with Adah and Anna. We also met with him when we picked up Addis & Abi and brought him donations for the orphanage.

Steve & I are in want for not one thing. I challenge those of you who read my blog to sponsor a child in an orphanage or do something for someone who is less off than you are. I'm not talking toys, either, I'm talking food, clothing, shelter. Basic necessities for life. You can do it! Go out of your comfort zone and make a difference.

You can find the Kingdom Vision International link on the side bar under Adoption links.

Class Day

Today was our last Class Day before Christmas. Since we finished Charlotte's Web in our Living Books 1-3 class I read some Christmas books to the kids. We enjoyed How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a Charlie Brown Christmas, the Christmas Kitten, Silent Night-Holy Night, and a story from a 1952 book.

In our games class we had all the kids sit at tables according to their grades and we played Brain Quest. They were asked questions according to their grade level and the first graders won! We passed out cookies and chex mix to add to the fun.

In our third class which is Living Books 4-6 (14 boys) we read How the Grinch Stole Christmas and read more of My Side of the Mountain. As long as the boys have suckers in their mouths and crayons/markers in their hands all is well. They'll sit and listen for 50-60 minutes. It's quite amazing. They look forward to this book. I need to come up with one that is as good or better for the next one!

We made it home with the cookies from John & Addis' cookie exchange. I've had my hot tea and two of the cookies we made yesterday which were quite scrumptious by the way. They were made from a brownie mix, with cream cheese and some other goodies, then a ball of peanut butter mixed with powdered sugar is placed in the middle of the cookie and then after it's baked you frost it with chocolate frosting. Oh.My.Lanta. They are delightful!!!!!

Well I better go and pick up my Cubbie and Class day mess............

Ethiopia Report

Jesse and his classmates had to do a report on Ethiopia in their Cultural Anthropology class. He asked me to bring the girls in their Ethiopian dresses and show them off to the class. They really didn't want to speak any Amharic, you know how kids get in front of people they don't know, so they looked down at the ground and wouldn't say much. The other classmates had to report on different aspects of Ethiopia. I wanted to stand up so bad and just talk about the country. Give them a desire to seek out the country and the people. I kept quiet as much as I could though. Jesse bought Yesega Wot and split pea alicha with injera for the class to sample. He also brought some of our souvenirs, photos, books, and such that we have collected in the last year and a half. We sang Bizu in Amharic in front of the class. Think Caucasian non-Amharic speaking mother singing a song that she "thinks" she knows what the words are, and four girls who really are too embarrassed to be up there, but want to be up there. The class clapped to help us along. The things I do for my kids.........

Jenny came to visit!

I received an email last week from Jenny Becker Taylor. Jenny and I go way back when she was a teenager at Mapleview. Back in 1993 or so I was the matron-of-honor in her wedding in Colorado. Sarah and I flew there when Sarah was two. Sarah cried the whole time during the ceremony. She had fallen asleep while we were all getting dressed and not having anyone to take care of her and since she was in different area of the church I picked her up and brought her with me. Well........she CRIED the WHOLE time and it was quite awkward. On one hand, I was Jenny's attendant and on the other hand I needed to take care of my daughter and tried to do it on stage in front of people. Just another example of my Murphy's Law life.

Anyways, Jenny was in town for a soccer tournament for her son and blessed us with a visit. I'll have to post a picture later since I need to leave and go to piano lessons. We had a great time catching up. She is such a hoot. She allowed Addis to cornrow her hair and was in immense pain the whole time. Think super tenderheaded and you get the idea.

Women's Christmas gathering

Last night Sarah & I went to the Truth N' Chocolate event for women at Mapleview last night. There was a fountain of flowing chocolate, goodies to go with the chocolate, wonderful music and a great speaker. It was fun to be with friends and enjoy one another's company.

I have to say the music was the best part for me. mary-james.com In Mary's "other" life she is Jesse's financial counselor at SDCC.

Facebook is wonderful!

Thank you, Shad, for urging me to go on Facebook. I have reconnected with old friends from Mapleview that I haven't seen in years. I have 35 friends so far from my Mapleview Church family and my Ethiopian adoptive parents family.

I'm now trying to get Steve to sign up. :-)

I'm on Facebook

I took the Facebook plunge at Shad's urging. If you're on facebook invite me as your friend. I NEED friends, people! Love me, please!!! (Can you hear the desperation?) I've already found several people I know from church. :-)