Hands-on Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 12

Upside-Down Pizza in a Pan

Here’s a clever dish that turns a crowd-pleaser on its head. It’s got all the fixings of a traditional deep-dish pie, such as cheese, pepperoni, and onions, but it’s prepared with the crust on top, casserole-style, so it’s easy to take and share.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 2 (15-ounce) cans Italian-style tomato sauce

• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 cup chopped pepperoni
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (13.8-ounce) package prepared pizza dough

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the turkey and continue to cook and stir, breaking the meat into small pieces, until it is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce, basil, and pepperoni and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add the pepper, then transfer the mixture to a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish.
3. Scatter the cheese on top and layer on the pizza dough. Bake the casserole until the dough is golden, about 20 minutes. To serve, spoon out portions with a large serving utensil.

Q- What’s your favorite pizza topping that your kids love?

What is a Vlog?  Here is the official “google” definition: Short for “video blog.” A vlog is the video equivalent of a blog, most commonly featured on YouTube. Much like plain ol’ text blogs, these can range from the informative to the hysterical.

I will really work on making my vlogging hysterical, but for the first vlog attempt, it’s just you and me gabbing… well, kinda.  I will admit, it felt a little awkward hiding in a corner of my church cafe talking to myself, but I got through it.  When I showed my hubby the video to preview, he laughed (yes!) and encouraged me to keep vlogging, but to commit from start to finish.  Honestly, I was nervous someone would come around the corner and catch me talking to myself and finally prove that I’m crazy!

3 things I need to improve on my next vlog:

1. Get better lighting so I don’t look green(ish) like Elphaba in Wicked.
2. Sit back a little further from the screen so I don’t cut off my eyebrows.
3. Add a variety of adjectives. Can you guess how many times I say the word “incredible” ?
   

I haven’t picked an official vlog day, but for now … let’s make it a weekly surprise.  My hubby will be my first vlogger guest and share an incredible story from his mission trip.  What topics do you want me to vlog about … any suggestions?

Just click play …

You Inspire Me!

If you are raising funds for adoption or orphan care … I want to help!  Click on the Inlinkz at the bottom of the post and add your information.  If you need Inlinkz 101- take a peek at the description below.  Also, feel free to leave a comment and share your story and project.  This is YOUR shout out!!

PS: If you are selling Simply Love gear … please leave your blogs and links in the comments with a description of your project.

What is your main fear about raising money for adoption or a mission trip? I want to know …

What in the world is the “Inlinkz” at the bottom of this post?  Well, I want to continue to shout out for your adoption and mission trip projects and fundraisers.  This new tool will help YOU spread the word to other bloggers that want to help make a difference in the life of an orphan.  All you need to do is leave your “permalink” with an eye catching title for your projects every Saturday- open to share for 48 hrs. What this means … you have two days to add your link with the Inlinkz tool, but readers can click on your images [here] to view for months to come.

My Crazy Adoption Blog receives over 10,000 monthly readers.  The new InLinkz tool will help bring readers to your site, but it won’t work unless you share!

As I put an adorable “store bought” bow in my daughter’s hair today, I couldn’t help but think of the 4,000+ headbands you sent me to put on the heads of princesses and princess in Uganda on my Visiting Orphans mission trip.  I still can’t believe you mailed me [this year] over 7,000 bows, hair accessories and headbands of love.  The best part, was flipping out my Flip camera and taking this hilarious video of the craziness of crowing bows to the Karamonjong Tribe at Katie Davis’ ministry, Amazima.  I literally dragged myself out of the pile of chaos to ask a few children to say “hello” and “thank you!”

So, thank YOU with all my heart, for making the girls and boys feel beautiful for the day!  You will never know the impact you had on their hearts!  We have some really amazing projects coming up this Fall [here] on the blog.  Let’s wrap up together 2011 loving BIG and making a difference in the life of an orphan.  Ya’ll keep inspiring me to live James 1:27 throughout the year!  I love you sisters!

(Anyone interested in helping me crown princesses for my Haiti mission trip in January? hint hint!)

Enjoy …. your craziest, crazy thank you ever!!

We just adopted…BELLA is finally home & we are all in love with her!

Josh and I have felt it on our heart for years to adopt even before we had kids.  We have tried several times to look into different options but before things could go very far it would always fall through.   We know that at the core of Gods heart is a longing and a desire for children to have life, be loved and cared for.  Here is the answer to YEARS of prayer and a life saved!!  Introducing BELLA CHRISTIAN NEELEY born Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 7:11 am 3.52 kilos, or 7.74 lbs

“True religion is this to care for the orphans and the widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”-James

I got the call on Sun at 1:45 am that Mary had gone into labor and we (Amanda my friend & I) were to meet her at the hospital.  So I got dressed fast and ran in the dark to my friend Amanda’s house down the road a ways to get her.  There was a little confusion and we finally got a hold of the guy who was to take us to the hospital (remember neither of our families have cars, and bus’ don’t run in the middle of the night here unless they are just getting done drinking or coming from a kava bar (not good if you are the one getting a ride!).  We had woken him up and it turns out he went right back to sleep! So an hour later we figured out what happened and had to wake Amanda’s husband  Jeff (you can’t go out as a girl with out a guy in the  middle of the night for safety reasons.)  Then we had to pray for a Taxi cause it was the middle of the night and just as I prayed one showed up (we had only seen two vehicles period in the last hour we had been there!)

Finally after much waiting and praying Little Bella was born at 7 am!

This photo is of when she was only 20 min old!  Pre bath.  I was the very first person to touch her after delivery except for the nurse who delivered her!  She was under a heat lamp crying while the nurse attended to Mary (birth mother) and I was able to touch her and soothe her.  I was even able to give her her first bath !

The kids and Josh came as soon as they were allowed at about 8:30 on their way to church which happens to be right behind the hospital.  They were all so excited to meet her!

Notice the falling off diaper! Dahlia was crying cause all She got to hold were Bella’s feet.  Pierce and Dahlia just love having a little sister.  Dahlia keeps tugging on my pants saying “I can’t see my baby” when I am holding her.

This morning she got out of bed saying “Ours baby! Ours baby!”  Like where is our baby?  Usually she yells “mama” and waits for me to get her out of bed.  Unfortunately at this point Bella much prefers if Josh or I hold her…Don’t know why.

This is the brave lady who gave Bella to us.  She is sitting with her daughter on her left and her sister on her right.  She is 36 and is not married, and the father is long gone.  Her parents are not willing to take another of her children as they have raised the other kids (the girl above 18 and two boys 7 and 10).  She knew we were her answer to prayer as to what to do concerning the baby.

Giving the baby up was hard for her to do even though she had planned it for months.  It was a bit emotional at the actual passing over when she got off the bus before us.  She didn’t say anything and I croaked out an awkward “Thank you, thank you” not knowing what else to say.  I am pretty sure she didn’t see me crying as I received the baby from her sister who was with her cause she wouldn’t look at me.  I think she was trying not to let me see her emotions.  I  wrote her a letter and stuck it in her bag at the hospital.  I just wanted to go beyond the language barrier and say that we were honored and thanked her for choosing life for our now daughter.  I reminded her that the love we feel for this baby is the same love God has for us (including her) as He says in the Bible he has “adopted” us in to His family.  I continued to tell her that God has a plan for her life and for Bella’s life and that we were blessed to be a part of it.  I also reminded her that God brings the best out of a very bad situation and that this was exactly that.  We have asked her to write a letter to  Bella telling her why she choose to relinquish her to us and that it was not because she didn’t love her…  I hope that she will do that for Bella’s sake and for hers.  We find it amazing that somehow God arranged it all to go so smoothly.  What a blessing little Bella is to us.  Truly Gods gift to us.

Kristy- www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com

I found this yummy sandwich that will feed a crowd or my 17 year old son!  It’s super easy to make and no-fuss make-ahead kind of crown pleaser.  I would have to substitute the “read meat” for turkey or deli chicken, but everything else looks delicious!

What is your favorite sandwich to make for your family?

Ingredients

• 2 loaves (1 pound each) unsliced Italian bread
• 1 package (8 ounces) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (softened or cubed), softened
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 pound thinly sliced fully cooked ham
• 1 pound thinly sliced roast beef
• 12 to 14 thin slices dill pickle

Directions

• Cut the bread in half lengthwise. Hollow out top and bottom of loaves, leaving a 1/2-in. shell (discard removed bread or save for another use).
• In a large bowl, combine cheeses, onions, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce; spread over cut sides of bread. Layer with ham and roast beef on bottom and top halves; place pickles on bottom halves. Gently press halves together.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into 1-1/2-in. slices. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Summer 2011 was one of my favorite … 2 mission trips, family camp, Sanibel Island, and all the fun stuff in between.  Just like my favorite episode of “The Middle” I lit our new tiki torches and vowed … it’s time to get our summer on!  It’s hard to believe that I have 2 High Schoolers and a new Preschooler.  The kids have such an adventure ahead … a brand new freshman and a senior, who actually got one class together! They are digging a well together and helping the community of Chuko, Wayama have clean water in the spring.  They will both travel again to Ethiopia, and celebrate the inauguration of the completed well project .. hopefully next year!  Our youngest starts preschool this year one day a week.  Princess Z is so excited about going to school like her big siblings.  She has a new back pack and ready to learn and play.

I’m still going to light my tiki tourches for a few more weeks … I have to ease myself out of summer fun.  Thank you bloggers for all your incredible help making bows and headbands this summer and your support for our orphan care projects.  The best is yet to come!

I’m starting my “back to blogging” schedule, too.  We’ll keep the weekly posts fresh and new, as well as old favorites… Wednesday WOW Recipes and adoption stories.  I can’t wait to share new Vlogs (blog + video) from a variety of guests: hubby, friends, and mission team members.  We’re all in this together!  I pray that you continue to love Big and go Big!

What was your best summer adventure?

This is YOUR personal shout out for your adoption and missions fundraisers!! My Crazy Adoption Blog brings the craziness straight to you- sending readers to check out your links!

If you have a special project, fundraiser, or blog post you want to share with my crazy readers, leave a comment with all your information and permalink (example http://tinyurl.com/3t4fxbo: ) to take readers directly to your site.

YOU INSPIRE ME!!

1. By way of introduction, my husband and I (Kristin) are currently in the middle of our international adoption, bringing home this little one will make ours a family of nine. We’ve identified a little girl with some special needs in Thailand and are praying hard that we’ll be able to adopt her. Thailand would have to make some exceptions in our case, and right now we’re just doing the old wait and wait and wait routine. One of these days we’ll hear something! : )

In the meantime, though, we’re working on raising funds, and that’s why I’m contacting you. My husband works in the film and video industry, so the idea for a film festival fundraiser was a no brainer for us. The festival is scheduled for October 28th, 2011. Our biggest need at this point is film submissions- we’re trying to round up a great variety of films to show, and need to get the word out. We’ll consider films from anyone, professional or amateur, the only real requirements are that they be short (under 15 minutes) and family friendly. There is no entry fee for submissions, the funds are being raised by audience donations.  Here is the link to the post that includes the submission guidelines and entry form- http://trippfamilyadoption.blogspot.com/2011/07/film-festival-submission-guidelines-and.html

I’m Christy, wife to Jeff and Momma to four amazing kiddos, Avery (10), Karsen (7), Cohen (5) and Bereket (3).  Here is a little bit about how we followed God’s call for our family.

The summer of 2006 we watched a special on Africa and I looked at my husband Jeff and said, “I think we need a little boy from Africa!”  With a five year old, a two year old and a fussy three month old he looked at me like I had two heads!
I started reading blogs about adoption, specifically Ethiopia, and praying that God would turn Jeff’s heart in the adoption direction.  God did a mighty work in Jeff’s heart and after two and a half years and lots of prayer we started our journey.
On December 18, 2008 we faxed over our application to our adoption agency and jumped in with both feet to adopt a little boy, 1-3 years old.  From January, 2010 to May of that same year we worked tirelessly to compile our dossier and on May 22, 2010 we joined our agency’s wait list as #97.
Exactly 10 months later, on March 22, 2010, we got the call of our lives.  Our case worker had information and pictures of our son, it was our referral day!  Bereket Abota was 26 months old and a teeny tiny 16 pounds. One look at him and we knew he was who God intended to join our family!
On May 11, 2010 we passed court in Ethiopia and got a phone call that Bereket Abota was legally our son in the eyes of the Ethiopian Government.
June 17, 2010 we boarded the first of many planes that would take us to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  We spent a week in Ethiopia soaking up our child’s culture and bonding with our son.  On June 27 we landed at the airport and were greeted by 50 or so of our family and friends.  Our kids met their brother and we were a family of six!

That was just the beginning of our journey…

We’ve been home just over a year and it has been a year of intense joy and intense pain.  We brought home a very sad, scared and angry little boy.  He quickly became attached to us but at the turn of a hat would become violent, it was heartbreaking.  I am so blessed to say that the hurting little boy who came into our family is now a hilarious, spunky, goofy little guy that charms everyone in his path.  There is obviously still hurt in his heart but he’s processing it all and as he processes we get to hear about his life in Ethiopia, a true honor to hear.  It has been such a blessing in our family to help him grieve and learn to live in a structured family.  As a result we have become more compassionate and our kids have learned so much about loving people where they are at and loving with Christ’s unconditional love.

As Bereket was severely malnourished for almost three years of his life we knew that he would have some medical issues but we would quickly learn that we would spend multiple days a week going to doctor appointments.  We currently have eleven specialists and are preparing for his third and fourth surgeries.  My heart breaks when Bereket is in pain but I can’t help but think during each appointment what his life would have been like had he stayed in Ethiopia.  Through all of his medical issues we have learned to trust God daily, knowing that He has Bereket in His hands and He knows what our son needs.

Adoption begins in pain, a birth family making an excruciating decision.  But on the other side is a family who receives the gift of a lifetime.  In God’s amazing grace we have been given the honor of being Bereket’s family.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think back to that huge decision to adopt, and every time I think on it I am humbled that God chose us for this journey; a journey of love!

It turns out we did “need” a little boy from Africa… a little boy that would change the way our family looks at the world and move us to live our lives for others and not for ourselves!

Gladheim Family, photo taken in August 2010, shortly after we returned from Ethiopia with Bereket.

Bereket, photo taken in May 2011.

Christy’s Blog- check it out here.

For the past 16 days, I’ve been a single mama.  My husband has been leading the 1st Man Up Visiting Orphans mission trip to Uganda and Ethiopia.  It’s just been me and the girls.  The first few days I was pumped about all the “alone” time I was going to have with my daughters.  I made a list of all the fun things we could do together … pedicures, picnics, swimming at the pool, and our special trip to Sanibel Island, FL.  I had high expectations of spending a few hours a day tackling those spring cleaning chores I missed in the spring.  In fact, I stacked three new books (you recommended) on my night stand to read at night.

Little did I know, we would have record heat waves hit my neck of the woods.  It was miserable going outside … forget picnics and boiling ourselves in the pool during the day.  We stayed inside our cool house praying the air conditioner wouldn’t break with daddy being gone.  We counted down the days for our mini vacation [tagging along with my parents] to escape the heat in muggy sunny Florida.  I love the ocean and couldn’t wait to relax on the beach.

The rain we lacked in my hometown, we got in torrents in Florida.  The girls and I would wait by the screen door and as soon as it lifted, we ran to the pool or beach.  I wouldn’t let a crazy thunderstorm every day dampen my spirits.  I started feeling the weight of being a single mommy, but didn’t want to miss out on my sunset dates with Zoie.  Every night, she wanted to head to the beach to watch the sunset God made us.  It was also my time to reflect on my hubby and son ministering to orphans and praying for their energy, strength and perseverance. I struggled often with wanting to be with them in Africa, yet cherishing my time with my daughters.  I was torn.  It was all worth the time being single … knowing hundreds of children were being loved BIG by a crazy team of men and women living James 1:27.  (Time of print- he’s home now and wait till you hear stories from his trip!)

(my sweet Dad & Zoie)

I just want to say to my single bloggy friends with children- I’m so proud of you for being super hero moms!!

MY CRAZY BLOGGERS: I want to know how you spent your summer – any craziness you want to share here to make us laugh (or cry)?

PS:  I cherish your comments and promise I’ll give my best effort to reply.  Your bloggy friendships mean the world to me, even though we’ve never met in real life.  I hope you’ve enjoyed all the amazing adoption stories this summer from over 40 guest bloggers, as much as I have. Thank you for living James 1:27!

It’s my honor to help fellow adoption families fundraise for their adoptions with our Simply Love Kit … I wish I could keep my blog store open 24/7 all year long, but running an apparel business would be a full time job.  Thankfully, bloggy friends you keep wrapping your hearts around the many projects featured here on my blog.  YOU make a crazy difference in the lives of orphans.  Every tee shirt you buy has helped change a life on the mission field.  We are all in this together!!

I’m so excited for you to rush over and buy [here] the 1st Simply Love coffee mug… they are adorable!!  My dear friend, Autumn Kerr (Visiting Orphans) started her adoption journey and took off with a bang.  Wait till you see the funky Simply Love Vintage tees and gear she has for sale- 100% of the funds will help her bring home her new son!!

The best part, she is giving away [on her blog] an iPad 2 in a special “Simply Love” drawing on Aug. 28th- enter with the purchase of any gear.  Every item is $25.  The tees come in a ton of different colors- WOW!

BUY HERE

Photo by Amber Beckham www.amberbeckham.com

By Sarah Viera of www.anoceansizedlove.blogspot.com

Coming from a rather large family I had always wanted to have children of my own. I had always pictured birthdays with handmade cakes and decorations, and singing over my babies. I pictured busy kitchens baking mini tarts with  my kids in little aprons  like I did with my mom and grandmother growing up. I pictured a dinner table full of conversation and chuckles. I didn’t have aspirations of being a career woman or doing many of the things my friends had done. I wanted to be a mom…

…And then my husband and I were told that we had about a 10 to a million chance of conceiving a child. Not great odds. We were both incredibly devastated by the news but as any woman with a passion I jumped {head in} to the fertility treatments. We had a round of IVF that ended in a painful tragedy and we were never the same.

My husband and I believe that things happen for a reason so we picked ourselves up and thought about adoption as a way to grow our family. We were ready to move forward, although very afraid of getting our hearts broken again. We filled out paper work, finished a home study and waited around for a few months. In late March of 2005 we got a call from our agency  that a birthmother had picked us and wanted to meet at her next doctors appointment.

We met the birthmother and knew right away that this was a match that was meant to be. We got to hear our baby boy’s heart beat that day. Over the next few months we fell in love with his kicks and spoke to him through the belly of a sweet woman who we will never forget. She chose us to be his parents and are so grateful!

Our hopeless and broken feelings turned into love, excitement and joy! In the middle of September that year we were there as our son came into the world and held him for the first time. Words cannot express the emotions that we felt looking into his face. My husband and I both knew that the journey was to bring us to this beautiful baby. It was all worth it in the moment that we looked into his eyes.

And our lives were full of birthday cakes, singing and chuckles at the table. As if that joy wasn’t enough, when our son was 18 months old, we found out about a baby girl that was due to be born in about 8 weeks time. We knew little about the situation. We prayed and felt that we should move forward with her adoption. We met her birthmother over lunch one day and realized again, it was meant to be. We brought our daughter home when she was a few days old after only about 6 weeks. We were barely ready but we knew from the moment we laid eyes on her, she was meant for us!

Now, many happy birthdays and merry family memories later we are starting the journey to China to meet our third child, our son who we lovingly call “little brother”. If I have learned anything from our adoption journeys it is to trust God completely, embrace the unknown and grow from pain. There have been many moments in my life when I’ve asked “why”. There have also been many moments when I have said “I see”. I know that God’s plan is greater. His love is greater. I am enjoying living out my dream of being a mother and it is a most wonderful dream come true!

-Sarah
www.iwanttobakeyouabirthdaycake.blogspot.com
www.anoceansizedlove.blogspot.com

How can you help this adoption family?

The Viera Family are currently raising money for their third adoption through an auction on their blog. “We are walking through faith that God will provide for this adoption.”  Here is a link: http://anoceansizedlove.blogspot.com/2011/08/ocean-sized-love-adoption-auction-items.html.

Our house was a flurry of excitement as we dreamed about holding our toddler boy in our arms.  We prayed diligently for him and his birth family.  Books about toddler adoption cluttered our nightstands as we gleaned all the information we could from them.

A few months passed and we had an agency change. It was discouraging to think about a longer wait time, but could see God’s hand moving and so we followed.  Over the Christmas season, God began to quietly press on our hearts a desire for two children.  We hashed through every angle as we had told that a twin referral was “like lightening striking” and because our age range was toddler and younger, a sibling group would be virtually impossible.  

Early January 2010, we sat listening to a man share his testimony of God’s faithfulness to him during his time with cancer and then the prayers of faith of many on his behalf and his subsequent, miraculous healing, our hearts were moved.  Jon and I went home and on Monday, we heard our dossier arrived in Ethiopia, we were on the waiting list! Monday night, we poured out our hearts before God, “Father, You are pressing on our hearts that we are supposed to bring home two children with this adoption, but Father, we lack faith, so we pray that You would work a miracle and bring us two children.  Give us the faith to believe You can do this!” We fell asleep, hunkering down for a long wait but peaceful that God was in control.

Two days later, I received a call from our social worker.  We chatted a bit and then she said, “Amy, one week old, twin sisters need a Mommy and Daddy.  Would you and Jon be open to looking at their information?” I fell to the floor in a puddle of tears and when I could contain myself enough to talk, all I could do was praise God.

April 2010, less then eleven months after God had moved us down the path of adoption, we traveled to Ethiopia to bring home our treasures, our 5 month-old, twin baby girls. We still have never heard an explanation about why we waited two days and then were matched with baby girls but not a day has passed in which we have not praised God for this double blessing!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

www.jonandamyg.blogspot.com