Another Recipe

As things settle down here, I feel led to blog about things other than "attachment issues". I have another great recipe to share! Before I do so, I have to share that we are on our THIRD good day in a row with Abbie! She honestly is like a changed person! No more testing, pretending not to be able to do things, no more lying, tantrums, pouting, etc. I am serious! She woke up with a smile on her face today and said "Mommy, I comin' to have a good day today!" and she did! She already informed me that tomorrow she is also going to have a good day. She doesn't even sabotage things anymore--of course, I have wizened up and not told her things in advance. There are only a few minor things I have to confront her on and really these things are "childish" behaviors, not her trying to get away with things. Sure, I think we will have many rough days ahead of us. In fact, Cameron and I are going to get away for our 10 year anniversary next week for 2 nights and I am sure that she is going to let us have it when we get back. The hardest thing is that I like to prepare my kids in advance before something big like this. However, knowing Abbie's anxiety and fear, I really do not feel I can share ahead of time that we are leaving.

I am still in awe: It is amazing how many behaviors just disappear when an adopted child stops testing--the clearing her throat noise, the rapid blinking, the not being able to make her letters, forgetting to put things away, putting clothes on backwards and inside out, forgetting to finish her chore . . . gone. Praise God! This taking away control parenting technique really really worked! Discipline didn't work, lecturing didn't work, ignoring her behavior didn't work, loads of affection didn't work . . . but this did! (Thank you God and thank you Courtney!).

Okay . . . Recipe time. This recipe come from my friend, Ginny (http://eversosmall.blogspot.com). It is so easy, economical and delicious! We call it Burrito Bowl and I make it a little different from Ginny because I use my crockpot. This recipe is also found in my recipe book. You have to try it!

Burrito Bowl

1 (16 oz.) bag dried pinto beans
1 (4 oz.) can green chilies
1 onion chopped
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 T. cumin
sea salt
water

So, I usually double this recipe, except for the onion. I dump 32 oz. of dried pinto beans in my crockpot and pour lots of water on top--8-10 cups maybe? I throw in a chopped onion and let this cook all day, until the beans are tender and a lot of the water has been absorbed. Then, I add a large can of green chilies and a 28 oz. can of diced or crushed tomatoes. I add 2 T. cumin and season with plenty of sea salt.

We serve this over rice, topped with cheese and hot sauce. Sometimes we add sour cream and dip blue corn chips in.

YUM! Enjoy!

In Christ, Laura