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  Use That Ham Bone! Slow Cooker Ham and Beans
  I think I'm on a ham kick, getting ready for Easter. I made a whole bone-in ham a few days ago and have been trying to use up the leftovers. I made a ham, white bean and kale soup using leftover ham and now on to another ham recipe which happens to be in the slow cooker too. I love it when meals are easy.
  Don't throw away that ham bone after you are done carving, this recipe uses the bone! Not only do I like finding new ways to use leftovers, but I also like when I can use all parts of an ingredient rather than throwing it away.
  A huge ham bone doesn't look too appetizing, so I used the creative placement of text to hopefully not turn you off to this recipe before trying it :)
  Before visiting Ghana I had never tried black eyed peas, but it was my go-to dish over there. It was either that or dried fish or goat meat and my pallet isn't that adventurous yet.
  Here in the midwest we are more meat and potato type of people, but I know black eyed peas are served often down south. I loved how in Ghana they put fried onions on top. The crunch is needed in the soft, slow cooked beans.
  So this Easter, don't throw away that ham bone!
  1 lb. of dried black eyed peas
  2 Tbls or a few cubes of chicken bouillon
  fried onions to top
  Throw everything in the slow cooker and cook low for 8 hours. Take out the ham bone and be sure to scrape off all of that good meat! Top the beans with fried onions and put a little parsley for color.
  All Recipes// Blog// Recent Articles// Recipe Box1 Comment
  Kohl's "Pay It Forward" Challenge
  Sorry for the quietness on the blog, but I was in Ghana for a month! It's so good to be back and get back into the swing of things and the very first thing I wanted to share and promote is a challenge by Kohl's to pay it forward this holiday season.
  I am always searching for companies that give back and do good- I even have a whole section on this blog dedicated to the very topic. When I was approached by Kohl's with this offer to be sent a $250 gift card to buy merchandise for someone in need in my local community- no strings attached, I jumped at the chance. I'm a big Kohl's shopper anyways and knew I had a nice 20% off coupon sitting at home to make the gift card go even further.
  I posted on Facebook about my opportunity and asked for any suggestions on who to bless this holiday season. I received several responses, but one was about a young man who has been battling brain cancer since '08 and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to give him an unexpected extra gift this Christmas to know that people are always thinking about him!
  With a $250 gift card and a 20% off coupon and armed with a list of his likes, I went shopping and decided on a nice Polaroid tablet, warm slippers, work shoes, Iowa sweatpants, a wallet and socks. I'm hoping the gift basket will bring him a little extra cheer.
  More Ways Kohl's is Giving This Holiday
  Gifts that Give Back. This holiday, Kohl's offers exclusive hardcover books featuring Peanuts classics by author Charles M. Schulz along with coordinating plush toys for just $5 each through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program that you always see at the checkouts! Also for $5, Kohl's Cares merchandise brings shoppers the Holiday Cheer cookbook, the holiday CD Upon the Winter Solstice from Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a Peanuts jigsaw puzzle. I never knew those books and stuffed animals were part of a charitable campaign, but through the Kohl's Cares merchandise program, Kohl's donates 100 percent of the net profit to children's health and education initiatives nationwide! Since 2000, it has raised more than $231 million for children's health and education programs in local communities across the country.
  Hopefully you will be inspired to bring someone a little extra cheer this holiday season (and every season). Let's "Pay It Forward," and make the world a better place.
  I was given a $250 Kohl's gift card to purchase gifts on behalf of someone in my community! No compensation is involved.
  Blog// Do Good// Your CommunityLeave a Comment
  This Cut Is The Deepest… Our Failed Adoption
  I've waited awhile to talk about this publicly. Maybe we needed time to grieve, because in a sense it felt like we had children that just died. Maybe I was in denial, just hoping that things would somehow change and our children would be able to come home with us.
  Two months ago we learned that an uncle objected to the adoption of Jonathan, most likely because of the strange rumors about adoption traveling around Ghana. You see, our kids were almost home. They were legally our children, legally deemed orphans and we even just needed one more piece of paper to officially have those visas stamped in their already printed passports.
  When we learned of this, Jonathan was already moved from the foster home to live with the uncle that was never in his life in the first place.
  We were sad that this little boy and girl who for one year were living together and bonding as brother and sister and best friends would be torn apart. But, we thought it through and if this uncle was to love, care for, protect, and treat Jonathan like his own child, then we were happy that this was the outcome for our son.
  From the moment we saw the referral photos of Jonathan and Faustina over one year ago, we pictured them as our children. We imagined our lives with them in it, as a part of our family.
  That first trip to meet them changed everything.
  We didn't just imagine them as our children anymore, they were our children.
  We learned their personalities, what they like to eat, what games they like to play, and how they react when they get hurt. We took them out to eat, we swam with them, comforted them when they were sad and we bonded with them.
  …. As parents and children.
  Continuing on with what seemed like the worst nightmare being played out in my life, I received a call three weeks after the news of Jonathan, that the exact. same. situation happened with Faustina. Distant family members now opposed the adoption, most likely due to ill-informed people spreading lies about adopted children's lives in America.
  The day we received that call, we weren't just going to sit back and sulk about the situation, we were going to go to Ghana and see what we could do. We had just been able to process what happened with Jonathan, but now Faustina?
  Talk about hitting us while we were already down.
  Something like this had never happened before with two unrelated children who were so far in the Ghana adoption process with the same family. Their room was all ready, their beds were made, they were registered for Kindergarten and we even had their plane tickets home.
  This just seemed like some dirty trick. Was God really going to do this to us? Here we stepped out in faith at 25 to add to our family through adoption despite all of the hurdles mounted against us and now He was going to do this to us? (That's shamefully what I thought). We thought we were in control, but boy was I wrong. Maybe we were getting too comfortable, maybe we didn't rely on Him enough.
  Sitting on the plane from Amsterdam to Ghana, TJ and I decided to put all of our fears behind us and TRUST.
  We weren't going to be hurt anymore, or mad, or frustrated. How ever this chapter in our lives was going to turn out, it was going to turn out the way God planned it to. Not the way WE planned it to.
  Ultimately when we got to Ghana, which I wrote about here, we learned that there was nothing we could do. It was final and there was nothing we could do or say to get Jonathan and Faustina home.
  We learned that Jonathan has relatives somewhere abroad that now might be interested in adopting him. Faustina was already moved from the relatives that requested her back, to another village with a different aunt. We hope that these two little children won't keep being bounced from place to place. They've had constant change in their lives and it would be an answered prayer that they are somewhere being loved just as much as we love them. We hope that one day soon we will be able to find out where they are living and check up on them to make sure they are o.k., and they are able to go to school… and are happy.
  Since we never got to say goodbye….
  Dear Jonathan and Faustina,
  One day when you are older, you may be sitting in an Internet cafe in Ghana. And through divine intervention you may come across this blog and see photos of yourself when you were younger with people you may not remember. Maybe faint memories will start to come back of the "obrunis" you used to call Mommy and Daddy. Maybe you remember all of the times we went swimming…. that time Jonathan, who couldn't swim, dove head first into the swimming pool without fear, but sure scared Mom half to death! Maybe you remember when you two put on Mom's makeup and we all had a good laugh.
  There is one thing that I want to tell you. Remember the last time we said goodbye? We promised we would be back soon and when that time came we would ride on an airplane! Home.
  We are sorry. We are sorry we never came back for you like we promised and that we never got to say a final goodbye. We are sorry we won't be able to do all the things we talked about. That you will never be able to meet your brother, Colton, who was so anxiously waiting for you.
  If it was our plan, you would be home right now tucked into your bunk beds that Dad built especially for you. But it is not our plan. We know that for some reason, in God's plan for all of our lives… we are apart…. for now.
  We think about you often and pray that you are well.
  Blog// Family & Adoption42 Comments
  Why I Became A Noonday Ambassador
  I first was introduced to Noonday Collection through an adoption fundraiser. What I first noticed was how beautiful the jewelry and accessories were, but after hearing the purpose of Noonday and the stories behind the jewelry, I knew I wanted to be a part of the company in someway. Here's my story and why I decided to become an advocate for the Noonday artisans…
  My name is Emily Roemmich and I live in central Iowa. I am a wife and a mother to three Kindergarteners- one biological and two born in my heart. My two adopted children were born in Ghana and I've had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful country. My visits opened my eyes to the necessity of helping our brothers and sisters in third world countries. Many children are orphaned due to the effects of extreme poverty in one way or another. While in the process of adopting, I knew I didn't just want to adopt children who needed a family, but I also wanted to help reduce the number of future orphans in someway. (Even if that's just one!)
  I never really knew how that could be done, let alone how I could play a part, until I was introduced to Noonday Collection. By supporting Noonday and buying these beautiful handmade pieces, jobs are being created and maintained in places where jobs are so hard to come by and pay is little. When you purchase from Noonday, you are changing lives! When artisans have jobs and a steady paycheck they are able to assure food is on the table for their families, access medical care they never would have been able to receive, and drink clean water. These are things we often take for granted, but in reality, so many die from these issues.
  Not only is Noonday Collection a great cause by giving artisans a way to help themselves and their families break the cycle of poverty, but the jewelry is fashionable. It's something you want to wear not just because of the story behind it and the hands that made it, but because it's stylish and beautiful. You will never tire of "I love your necklace, where'd you get that?!" and being able to spread the message of Noonday :)
  You can purchase the collection online through my website {Noonday Collection} but the magic happens when ladies come together for a trunk show to see the pieces in person and talk with women who have similar passions. If you are in the Iowa area and would like to host a trunk show or adoption fundraiser {Noonday donates 10% of a show directly to the adoption!} you can message me to talk further! I love being able to spread the message of Noonday and the idea of buying with a purpose.
  Beauty// Do Good// Gift Ideas// Recent Articles4 Comments
  Settling In As An Orphanage House Mom
  My sister left for Ghana last month and the internet hasn't been working the whole time she's been there. It's been hard not to hear what's going on- we only get glimpses of her time there from adoptive parents that visit their children and a few phone calls from her.
  One exciting thing to hear is that Meagan told our brother that he has a family. He has been praying for someone to adopt him for a long time so it's good to know his mind is at ease. Before she left I told her she had to take a video of her telling him he's being adopted. She got it on tape, but without internet we can't see her photos or videos. She said he is so excited and sharing his photo book with all of our photos to his friends.
  I want to share some excerpts of a few posts written by Laura at LambFamilyAdopts from her time visiting the orphanage this week (And she is actually adopting our brother's cousins!)
  First, let me tell you about the new volunteer at Great Mission International (GMI). Her name is Meagan. She has come here from Iowa to stay for 3 months and be mom, nurse, teacher, comforter, discipliner, and jack-of-all-trades. She is a young 20 years old but has the maturity of a wise older woman. Back in America, she is a trained chef. I arrived at the end of her 1st week stay in Ghana at GMI. I expected to see a volunteer who was still learning the ropes and not quite sure of her role yet. WOW! I was shocked to see a woman who looks and acts as if she has been here for years. In just a few short days, she has gained the respect of 30+ small children and around 15 older boys and girls. When Meagan says something, they listen. She is a patient mother to the children. She speaks in a firm voice when needed but comforts with gentleness. She has taken it upon herself to tutor 2 of the older children who are very behind in academics. They are 12-13 and read on an early kindergarten level. She works from 8am-12 pm in a tiny room which on most days has no electricity so it is stifling hot in there. On good days when there is power, she has a ceiling fan. I have enjoyed spending plenty hours (Ghana grammar) with her. I take comfort in knowing she will be here for 3 months with our 2 kiddos.
  I just love, love this update from Laura about our brother.
  Another special thing that happened today was P, aka "Superfish" brought me a letter and two pictures to mail to his parents in the USA. He is quite the artist. He drew a picture of a housefly and a cockroach. Quite interesting. His letter was just precious. The top had a drawing of his house he will be moving into and in the middle "me and my brother's room", and at the bottom a precious letter saying how much he loves them and he is so ready for them to come here for him. He also wants them to bring his new brothers.
  I love that he is excited about his three older brothers {but hey, he forgot to mention me in this letter! :) } He has been looked after by his older cousins for the past few years so I know he has a special bond with older boys who probably have been his father figure his whole life. It will be very interesting to see how my brothers react to this because I don't think they realized how happy and excited he would be to see them in particular.
  Meagan was initially going to stay at GMI for three months, but "P" told my mom in one of the short phone conversations last week that he wanted Meagan to stay with him until he could come to America.
  Hearing all the excitement is kind of bittersweet for me. We decided that my husband will go pick up our children when the time comes, along with my mom and dad who will visit P. I will be staying at home getting things ready for my kids' arrival, but I so wish to eventually spend more time in Ghana especially at GMI.
  If you are interested, follow the updates from GMI and the non-profit that supports them Feeding The Orphans on Facebook.
  Do Good9 Comments
  Help Bring Devine Home. Your Signature Can Help.
  For as long as she can remember, Devine has spent her life waiting. Waiting for the day when she'll have parents to tuck her in at night. Waiting for a family. Waiting to come home.
  While Devine, age 6, has waited, Joshua and Shayla Hood have spent more than two years and traveled four times from the middle of Iowa to western Africa to ensure that Devine wouldn't have to wait any longer.
  After learning of Devine through Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with board officers in Des Moines, Iowa, the couple applied and met the rigorous United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) intercountry adoption requirements to specifically adopt from Nigeria, the country Devine was waiting in.
  After obtaining approval, the Hood family worked diligently and patiently with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to investigate Devine's orphan status, and then proceeded to pursue Devine's adoption in the court system after she was deemed a legal orphan. From December 2012 to February 2013, Joshua spent seven weeks in Nigeria with Devine, where years of meeting requirements and filing papers culminated when a Nigerian Magistrate Judge deemed the Hoods Devine's legal adoptive parents.
  The only hoop left to jump through was obtaining a visa from the U.S. government. After weeks in-country waiting for a IR-3 or IR-4 visa, the U.S. Consulate (part of the U.S. State Department) in Lagos, Nigeria denied Devine a visa, citing that it was illegal for a non-Nigerian to adopt a Nigerian.
  The news was heartbreaking, frustrating, and perplexing — the USCIS had approved them to specifically adopt from Nigeria, and there are multiple cases of the same Consulate approving IR-3 and IR-4 visas to internationally adopted children to non-Nigerians in the United States.
  Nigeria has a Federal system of government — each state has the power decide adoption approvals on a case-by-case basis, determined by judge's discretion of the best interest of the child. The Hoods were well-versed in this and met with a magistrate judge in June 2012 to ensure the legality of the situation. With no local families interested in adopting Devine, the magistrate signed the adoption decree in December 2012 and, in an attempt to make it even easier for the U.S. Consulate to approve Devine's visa, also had a chief judge sign it as well, though his approval was not necessary for court's approval of the adoption.
  Devine was legally Joshua and Shayla's daughter by Nigerian law, they were cleared to adopt from the US, they obtained a new Nigerian passport for Devine, and were simply waiting on the U.S. Consulate to issue her visa. After the Hoods contacted Sen. Chuck Grassley and Congressman Bruce Braley, who both contacted the Consulate on behalf of the Hoods, the U.S. Consulate decided to do an investigation on our case and sent an investigator to travel hours away to the smaller community of Benin City, to speak with the judges that signed off on the adoption decree.
  No one has been told what happened during those conversations, though there have been allegations from some Nigerian contacts that pressure was applied for the judges to rescind the adoption. The magistrate refused. The chief judge ended up removing his approval. The Hoods weren't told why this occurred, only that it simply "had nothing to do with them" and it was "time for Joshua to go home."
  A week after Joshua arrived home, the The U.S. State Department posted a notice on its website: "Adoption and guardianship decrees from Nigerian states that lack adoption laws, and adoptions by persons of non-Nigerian heritage, may not be allowable under Nigerian law or acceptable for purposes of U.S. immigration."
  The case has now been kicked to USCIS in Ghana, a neighboring country, for them to do an investigation. The Hoods are anxiously awaiting their decision. The USCIS can either issue Devine a visa or reject the case. If they reject the case, their very last option will be to file an appeal — a lengthly option with unlikely positive outcome.
  Meanwhile, Devine still waits. She thought her wait was over, only to hear her wait was only beginning. She sobbed as she held the legs of the only father she has ever known as he walked toward his boarding gate. She wonders what she did to be abandoned, again. She wonders if she'll ever have a family. She wonders if she is worth loving. But all she can do is wait.
  The Hoods are waiting, too. They've created a petition to the Obama administration via the White House to plead for Devine to be issued a visa so she can be reunited with her forever family.
  We need to receive 100,000 signatures by March 28, 2013 for the petition to be accepted. Sign the petition to show Devine that she is worth waiting for.
  Funds will go toward adoption expenses — a plane ticket if Devine is issued a visa — or attorney fees for the family to fight her case if she is denied.
  Watch Joshua and Shayla Hood share about the journey here in thisrecent NBC-affiliate news story.
  Read more about Devine and the bureaucratic red tape prohibiting her adoption here in The Des Moines Register.
  This is a guest post written by Kayla Craig
  Do Good6 Comments
  480 Families Needed Now! Urgent!
  Awhile back I posted about our trip to an orphanage in Accra. I happened to come across this particular orphanage and the pastor who runs it through a network of adoptive families. Hearing so many good things about this loving Pastor and all the work he was trying to do, I knew that my Father and I needed to pay a visit on our scheduled trip to file paperwork for my adoption.
  This young pastor, barely in his 30's has devoted his life to the fatherless. Him and his young family house 40+ orphaned children, some of those who are now too old to be adopted, but would otherwise have nowhere else to go. Him, his wife and three young children live at this orphanage and this young couple take on the role of parent, teacher, friend, nurse and so much more.
  Not only does he share his love with these children, he also runs an orphanage in the neighboring country Togo, which he visits often. Whenever Pastor John sees a need, he tries to help. That's how the school we helped build in Hondzo came about {I wrote about it here.} John is from that area in Eastern part of Ghana and he wanted to give back to a village that had no school.
  Even though GMI is a modest place: no air conditioning, unpredictable power and bunk beds lining each room. This is a place 40+ kids call home. And it's a loving home and orphanage {those are hard to come by}. Running an orphanage that houses, feeds and clothes 40+ kids every day requires a lot of money and unfortunately the rent was raised by the landlord and he is demanding the next two years upfront!
  "$24,000 for two years' rent seems like such a huge amount," Kristie O'Leary of a small family-run non-profit that supports GMI said, "but not for our God!! Help us and all the children of GMI….please pray about how you can make an impact for them. This is their house, their HOME, and they need YOU!! Pray, give, share!! Nothing is too small! Click the Feeding the Orphans link below to make a donation, click AS NEEDED and type GMI RENT in the memo section!! THANK YOU FOR BEING A BLESSING!!!"
  My family and I have been so impressed with John and his loving and faithful heart. My younger sister is traveling to GMI at the end of February and will be staying for 3 months to help. Not only will she get to experience this large, loving home, she will get to meet and spend time with our future 11 year old brother, who my parents are in the process of adopting.
  I encourage you to help Pastor John continue to do his work of helping the fatherless over these next two years. We need 480 families to donate only $50. Your donation will ensure these 40+ orphans will continue to be taken care of and not kicked out of their home with no place to go. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation. Please write "GMI Rent" in the memo box. 100% of your donation will go directly to this cause.
  Understandably money is tight for many these days. Please share your love and compassion with these kids by sacrificing a dinner out or rent for movie night instead of going to the theater. If you cannot donate at this time, please please please share this post on Facebook, Twitter or re-post on your own blogs. Don't think sharing isn't enough! With the big wide web we could reach our goal in days!!
  Blog// Do Good11 Comments
  Who Are You Missing This Thanksgiving? #CardstoreThanks
  Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends. Although you should be thankful everyday, Thanksgiving is an "official" day with family gatherings and large meals. This year, my sister who just completed a year of culinary school in Napa Valley will not be with us for Thanksgiving. Fortunately, she will be home for Christmas and then will be able to fly with me to Ghana to pick up my children, but a holiday without a family member is always sad.
  This Thanksgiving I wanted to send her a letter through the mail- it's always fun receiving things in the mail! At CardStore you can create custom photo cards and send them directly to the recipient without having to deal with addressing envelopes, stamps or post offices. I thought this would be the perfect card for her since she used to be vegan (in our family of all meat eaters) until she went to culinary school. I think tasting and cooking all of that good food in Napa changed her perception a bit!
  As you can imagine, having a chef in the family brings a ton of good food for holidays and family gatherings. (I am expecting a delicious Christmas feast Meagan!) After attending culinary school Meagan obviously makes more fancy foods with techniques I've never even heard about. I on the other hand have a very different approach to food: quick, easy family-friendly recipes.
  I'm sure she would make something much more delicious than one of the dishes I am bringing to Thanksgiving this year, but these Caramel Apple Grapes are so simple and surprisingly taste like little caramel apples.
  To receive this recipe for Caramel Apple Grapes (and a coupon code for a free card to send a loved one you are missing this Thanksgiving!) follow the instructions below.
  This holiday season, Cardstore is helping each of us extend our Thanksgiving celebration and promote the spirit of giving by allowing me to send each of you my special recipe and a Cardstore coupon code good for one free card! I just need you to complete these two simple steps:
  Step 1: Leave a comment below sharing one Thanksgiving memory that makes you smile
  Give The Gift of Love #OCCGiving
  I wrote about Operation Christmas Child last year while talking about my favorite holiday tradition. If you haven't heard of Operation Christmas Child, it is an organization that delivers shoe boxes filled with love (toiletries, small gifts, educational supplies and clothing) to children in need. Here's a photo of Colton and I last year while filling over twenty shoe boxes for children all around the world who would otherwise receive no Christmas gifts.
  A lot has changed since I wrote that blog post in 2011, as you know, we are adopting. Two precious five year olds half way around the world now call me Mommy. Just a few weeks ago I was in Ghana, meeting my children for the first time and I think there is no better post than this, to share their photo for the first time.
  Jonathan and Faustina are just like your children at home: they love hugs, they love new clothes, they love to color and they shout with glee at the sight of a new toy just for them. The difference is, like millions of other children living in poverty and third-world countries, they know what it's like to be hungry and to see loved ones die of causes that would be preventable here in the United States. When we were with them they experienced a bath for the first time, three meals a day for the first time and the love of both a Mom and a Dad for the first time.
  I'm reading the book Kisses from Katie , a story of a young woman living in Uganda. She grew up in a wealthy family and upon returning to visit her family in the United States she thought this, "My mind began to race as I looked at the food piled high in my parents' kitchen. Joyce is still alive, but so many others are not. They are dying of starvation and preventable, treatable diseases. Why, with all the wealth, technology and resources that exist in the western world, have we not solved these problems? It is possible for children to live! And yet they are dying by the thousands. While we sit here full and content, everything we ever need right within our reach."
  After reading that, you may think: Well, what can I even do? There are so many in need of help, is it even worth it if I am only able to help one? Will sending a small shoebox even help? Just this month, here in Des Moines, a boy came to speak at a local school about his experience receiving a small box as an orphan in a Russian orphanage.
  "Bianco had been bickering with friends the day he received a shoe box. After tearing it open, the teen remembers a toy car, colored pens and a T-shirt. He said overwhelming love and hope rushed over him. Someone cared enough about him to send him a gift. Bianco didn't realize what the shoe boxes were or where they came from until years later, after his adoption into a Chicago family. He told Des Moines Christian students that when he was 15, his stepsister came home with Operation Christmas Child boxes to fill."I froze for a few seconds, then all that hope rushed back and I started crying," he said. "When you pack the box, God will take it to the right person," he said.
  Filling these shoe boxes may not look like much to us, but for these kids it really is something special. For some, this will be the first gift that they will receive. For others, it will be the only gift they receive every year. I encourage you to start now to teach your children the importance of giving and the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated. Here's all of the information you need to start packing boxes with your children.
  As I sit here wishing that my two children were home, I realize that there are millions more out there with just as cute faces, who are just as silly and playful and who delight in the basic of needs such as taking a bath or brushing their teeth. Your boxes will go to one of those children. And they will feel love.