You're Here for a Reason

You're Here for a Reason (just part of the poem that I love)

Nancy Tillman

You're here for a reason, you certainly are. 

The world would be different without you, by far....

Even the smallest things that you do 

blossom and multiply far beyond you....

It travels much further than you'll ever know...

under the treetops....over the snow...till it's wandered...

and fluttered....and floated....and twirled -

making things happen all over the world.

You're here for a reason. 

It's totally true. 

You're part of a world that is counting on you.

So don't be too worried if some days fall flat. 

Good things can happen, even from that.

You're here for a reason. If you think you're not,

I would just say that perhaps you forgot -

I was in Kohl's the other day when I saw this book

by Nancy Tillman

(affiliate link money earned goes toward AT child)

I have always loved her books.

I read the book

Wherever You Are: My Love Will find you
to Natasha in the Documentary Children of the State.

(affiliate link money earned goes toward AT child)

And I love, love, love that book. 

So I knew I was in for a treat. 

But I didn't expect to sit down and cry as I read it. 

So many times we can feel so insignificant in the world. 

So many times we can feel like what we do does not make a difference

and the world would go on just fine without us. 

Like I have said in previous post

December is a very hard month for me. 

Natasha just turned 10 on Saturday. 

She was 5 when we first committed to her and 6 when we finally met her. 

She should have been home in 2012. 

She should have celebrated her 7th birthday at home with us. 

I have so many she should have moments in December that sometimes

it makes it hard for me to even function. 

So it is hard for me to focus on how I could be Here for  Reason right now. 

but

"You're part of a world that is counting on you.

So don't be too worried if some days fall flat. 

Good things can happen, even from that."

This month it feels like everything I have tried to do has fallen flat. 

The Russian producer worked so hard on a documentary about the ban and

no matter how hard I have tried no one in the US seems to have any interest in it. 

Fortunately it has been seen in other countries all over the world.

And I got the flu last week so I have fallen short in our goal of raising $1,000 

for our AT Child. 

We have raised almost $350 for her by selling bracelets and necklaces

but Christmas is here in a just a few days so I don't think we will

raise the rest before the end of the year.

You can still purchase our beautiful bracelets.
They just won't make it to you in time for Christmas.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.617270988413214.1073741830.219257711547879&type=3

So I start to really get down and wonder if I really have anything to contribute

that can really make a difference in this horrible world. 

Then I remember the wonderful Russian citizens who worked hard to 

orchestrate the deliver of Natasha's gifts for her birthday. 

And the ones who randomly contact me and tell me how sorry 

they are that the ban happened and our two governments have not

been willing to find a solution to help Natasha and about 25 other children still living in 

orphanages even though they have families in American who love them.

I try and remember how I pulled it together and cleaned my house and put on make-up

even though I was running a fever and not feeling that great

so a reporter from a German TV Station could come over to my house 

and interview me because a Russian couple living in Germany had been denied

the opportunity to adopt a sick little girl and they wanted to hear 

about how we still very much wanted to adopt Natasha and had also been denied. 

Most likely the interview will never air because shortly after 

they were here the Russian Supreme Court overturned the ruling and the couple

in Germany will be allowed to finish their adoption. 

So wonderful that this little girl will now have a loving family instead of

being left to grow up in an orphanage. If only we had an option 

to bring Natasha home. 

So although I can sometimes feel like everything I am doing seems to fail

or fall short of how I wish it would turn out I know 

I am Here for a Reason. 

Thank you to all the Russian citizens who have 

shared, commented and contacted me about Natasha's story. 

Knowing how much you care about her and the other 

children who could have families right now if the politicians 

would think about the children's best interest

means a lot to me and helps me to keep going on really rough days. 

For anyone else who might be reading this blog

please consider donating to Prudence's account or sharing her 

photo and story with others. 

She is available for adoption and was born the same month/year

as Natasha. So she too has been living without a mom and dad for 10 

long years. 

Every child deserves a family so please help Prudence find hers. 

One last request. 

If by chance anyone has any connections with Netflix or Amazon Prime

please ask them to consider showing the film 

Children of the State on December 28th for the 3rd anniversary of 

the Russian Adoption Ban. 

Children of the State can be rented/purchased on Vimeo

but I think it would do better if people didn't have to pay extra to watch it

or download it. 

Things can only change if people know there is something

that needs to be changed. 

Please share our story. 

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/childrenofthestate/108227844

And if YOU ever doubt if YOU are Here for a Reason

Just remember

You're here for a reason. If you think you're not,

I would just say that perhaps you forgot -

Angel Tree Child

December is such a hard month for me. 

If I had my way I would just stay in bed and wake up in January. 

Put I try to put on a brave face and pretend that my heart is not shattered 

in pieces and advocate the best I can for the film and the stuck 

Russian orphans. 

I try to find ways to make the holiday special for my family

even when a part of my heart is stuck in Russia. 

This year my daughter asked to sign up to help one of the orphans 

on the Angel Tree. 

I don't know what I was thinking when I said yes 

because I have also been frantically trying to get the film

Children of the State seen. 

But my sweet little 8 year old daughter has a heart of 

gold and she really wanted to find some way to help another orphan out. 

Nevaeh knows what it is like to be adopted as she was adopted after we fostered

her from San Diego Foster Care for over 2 years. 

She is crushed when she thinks of a child without a mom or dad. 

So we have been working hard making bracelets for Prudence. 

We choose Prudence because she was born in December 2005 just 

like our sweet little Natasha. 

Both girls will be 10 years old this year. 

That's 10 years without a family to call their own. 

Ten years without a mom or dad to tuck them in at night

and tell them they are loved. 

Natasha is stuck in Russia due to the adoption ban so all I can 

do is hope and pray she finds a Russian family. 

But Prudence can be adopted. 

My heart belongs to Natasha and the thought of trying to replace

her if she doesn't have a family is not an option for me. 

But someone out there would be so blessed to have this amazing young

girl in their lives. 

Here is the link to the bracelets and necklaces were are selling and

a sample photo of our Down syndrome Awareness bracelet. 

They sell for $7.00 plus shipping. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.617270988413214.1073741830.219257711547879&type=3

Facebook has this thing it does where it shows you your memories

for years passed. Here is the one that pop up on me today date

December 7, 2013

This was posted on an adoption group tonight. So this Christmas season as you fret over getting the perfect gift for your child/family member or worry there isn't enough money to purchase them what they really want take a moment to think about those who more than anything just want a family to love them. If you have one you really have all you need for Christmas. Take a moment to be so grateful for what you have and read this poem. 

Last year at this time our court documents sat submitted in St. Petersburg, Russia and we anxiously awaited our court date. We knew we should be getting the call any day and that could very well mean spending Christmas in Russia. We only had 12 days notice when we went for our referral trip in July. So we decorated the house and hung the stockings. I had all the presents purchased and wrapped. I even had purchased things for Natasha's stocking. I knew it would still be almost 2 months before she was home with us but had planned on keeping the stockings up until she got home. 

Then on December 19th, her 7th birthday, I woke up to the most horrible news. A bill banning American adoptions had been submitted to the Russian Parliament and they had signed it. I thought "Surely this law will not apply to us. Surely the courts would not make a child who had waited 7 years for a family and finally met one not be allowed to go home to one now." I will never, ever understand the injustice that was dealt to those children and families that day. I will never understand the apathy and hatred portrayed by American citizens who feel that it was a good thing because Russia needs to deal with their own "problems" and the US with theirs. My heart breaks ever night. Our stockings still hang on the fireplace. The small gifts for Natasha still inside. This year I have made contact with volunteers from her orphanage and they have agreed to let me send hats for her birthday to all the children in her group and a Christmas dress for her. I am up late once again trying to figure out how two governments can act so cruel to children who have already had so much pain dealt to them in their short lives.

The documentary our family is in is finally able to rent on Vimeo. 

Please take the time to watch it as it has so much information 

in it on how Russian citizens feel about the ban,

those for and against it. 

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/childrenofthestate/108227844

Mexican Quinoa THM E Meal

Today for lunch I made one of my favorite THM E Meals

(a meal higher in carbs and lower in fat)

I used this recipe I found here 

and tweaked it so it doesn't have as much fat in it. 

According to Myfitnesspal the carb count is 46 so it 

does go over THM E carbs by 1. 

If you want to cut down the carbs cut back on the corn

and that should do it. 

THM suggest you not eat corn but I still put in the 

1/2 cup broken up between 5 servings

because I think it gives the meal some color. 

I also love this recipe because it is meatless

and I have very few recipes that I make that feel me

up and don't include some sort of meat for my protein. 

The photo below shows everything you need to make 

this yummy meal. 

1 cup Quinoa

1/2 cup frozen corn

1 14.5 oz can Mexican Style diced tomatoes

1 15 oz can SW Black Beans

1 14.5 oz can Fat Free Chicken Broth

(you could also use vegetable broth)

1 4 oz can chiles

1 tsp chili powder 

1/2 tsp cumin

1 lime (not pictured)

In large skillet combine all the indigence. 

Make sure to drain and rinse the black beans before adding 

them to the skillet. 

I like to use my mini food processor to chop up 

the tomatoes smaller. 

Below is the link to the food processor I use for most my cooking needs. 

Remember any purchase made through my Amazon link or my THM link

earns me a small percentage that I will donate to 

Prudence's adoption account in hopes of finding her

a forever family. 

After I have added everything together
I bring it to a low boil and then cover the skillet with a lid.

I keep it covered at a low boil for about 20 minutes
stirring occasionally.

After 20 minutes remove the lid
and continue to let it simmer for another 10 minutes
until most the liquid is absorbed.

Cut and squeeze the juice of a fresh lime all over
and then stir together before serving.

This recipe makes 5 one cup servings.
The Nutrients according to Myfitnesspal are listed below.

I usually put the reminder in the fridge and have easy left overs for the week.

I was really excited because I received my THM shipment in the mail today.
I had been waiting for the cookbook and the Not So Naughty Rice
so I could try out the Orange Chicken and Rice meal.

The Orange Chicken was really good but the Not So Naughty Rice
tasted horrible to me.

I have a thing about textures and the texture of the rice reminded
me of shrimp. I hate shrimp.

It was very squishy.

So I know have a full box of rice I never plan on eating.
I think I will try to find someone local who likes it.

In Russia and adoption related news I was sad to read this article
by The Moscow Times today.

I have some wonderful friends in Russia who are trying hard to
change the image of their citizens with disabilities.

One of the best ways for children to stay out of orphanages is for them to
stay with their birth families.

But if the birth families are not given resources or support
they will continue to leave the children, especially the ones with Down syndrome,
at the orphanage.

Tonight my heart aches for this brave mom and her daughter.

From The Moscow Times

"A Moscow school has allegedly moved to edit a girl with Down syndrome out of its yearbook, after several parents complained that her picture ruined the glossy album, a student's mother said."

"The parents of at least five students have had their children transferred to other classes to avoid sitting in the room with Masha, Sinayeva said."

Nutrition Facts
Servings 5.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 351
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3 g	5 %
Saturated Fat 0 g	0 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg	0 %
Sodium 603 mg	25 %
Potassium 933 mg	27 %
Total Carbohydrate 63 g	21 %
Dietary Fiber 17 g	67 %
Sugars 9 g
Protein 19 g	38 %
Vitamin A	21 %
Vitamin C	19 %
Calcium	10 %
Iron	26 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Low Carb Chicken Enchiladas S Meal

Tonight I spoke with the Russian producer of

Children of the State. 

He told me he would like to have a film crew tape the arrival

of Natasha's birthday gifts this year so he can hopefully 

include it in the launch of the American showing of 

Children of the State. 

I have had my hopes dashed so many times thinking the 

film would actually be seen in the US so I am really not sure what

to expect this time. Here's hoping it will actually be launched this year

and to seeing my sweet girl get her birthday gifts.

Here she is last year getting the doll I sent her.

I will keep you all posted as soon as I hear anything.

Now back to my eating plan. 

So far I have been doing really well with staying on plan. 

We were even gone all day yesterday and I managed to not cheat. 

Tonight's dinner was especially yummy and easy to make

so I figured I would share it with all of you. 

Chicken Enchiladas 

THM S Meal

Pictured below is all you need to make a super yummy S meal 

that your family will love. 

According to Myfitnesspal the carbs on this meal are 11 grams but I 

just push a few of the beans to the side and call it good.

If you just don't want to chance that extra carb go ahead
and leave the black beans out.

Most likely you will only get 10 enchiladas instead of 12
but you won't have to stress that you went over the
THM 10 carb rule. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/80290805834181903/

2  cans 12.5 oz chicken breast

1 can 15 oz black beans

1 can 4 oz chiles

1 can 29 oz enchilada sauce

12 carb balance tortillas

3 cups Mexican Style Blend Cheese

optional-not pictures  1 or 2 cans 2.25 oz sliced black olives

I like the flavor of the enchilada sauce to soak into my chicken 

so I open and drain the chicken and place it in the crockpot. 

If you don't have a great crockpot I highly recommend this one. 

Mine is the older model but I love that it is programmable and 

has a locking lid so I don't spill food all over my car

when I take my yummy food to church events or family gatherings. 

One year I spilled BBQ Beef all over the back of the car

before getting a crockpot with a locking lid. 

It was a nightmare to get the BBQ sauce out of the car carpet. 

Remember that any purchase made through my affiliate links go 

towards helping Prudence find her forever family. 

After I put the chicken in the crockpot I 

pour in about 1 cup of the enchilada sauce, the green chiles

and the black beans (drained and rinsed). 

I let this cook in the crockpot on warm for 3 hours. 

You do not have to do this. 

You could just pour all the indigence in a pan and warm it up for a few minutes

or you could even just mix it all together and leave it cold until you 

cook it in the tortillas. 

I also only use 2 or 3 low carb tortillas because my family is mostly

really thin people who don't need to eat my really expensive low carb tortillas. 

I make 2 or 3 low carb ones for me to use as left overs for lunch

during the week. 

While the chicken is warming up I pour just enough of the 

enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 8x8 pan and a 9x13 pan. 

I then use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop out the meat mixture 

and spread it in the tortilla. 

Then I roll up the tortilla and stick in in the pan. 

When all the tortillas are rolled and in the pan I pour

the rest of the enchilada sauce over them 

and sprinkle on the 3 cups of cheese. 

Next I drain the olives and sprinkle them on some of the tortillas. 

Not everyone in my family likes olives so I leave a few olive free. 

I preheat the oven to 350 and bake for about 20 minutes 

so the cheese is bubbly. 

Tonight I made some yummy guacamole to put on top of my enchiladas. 

Tweaking recipes that my family already likes to be low carb for me are my favorite recipes. 

I hope this meal is helpful for your family as you work toward 

your healthy eating habits and your happy pant's size. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings 12.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 296
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9 g	14 %
Saturated Fat 5 g	23 %
Monounsaturated Fat 1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 47 mg	16 %
Sodium 1052 mg	44 %
Potassium 128 mg	4 %
Total Carbohydrate 16 g	5 %
Dietary Fiber 4 g	18 %
Sugars 2 g
Protein 16 g	31 %
Vitamin A	8 %
Vitamin C	10 %
Calcium	19 %
Iron	6 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.