I taught all of his brothers. It was well worth the effort as now our 14, 17, 19, and 21-year-old sons are quite proficient in the kitchen. It only makes sense then that we would take our 5-year old Bonus Boy into the kitchen and start teaching him to cook.
About the time I started counting down to the empty nest years, as I joyfully started to say “that’s the last time I’ll ever need to XYZ for one of my kids,” while I was beginning to eagerly look into the very near future of life with no more intense parenting requirements, God showed me that He clearly had other, better plans. He provided for us a Bonus Boy. This one with chocolate brown eyes and a giggle that fills our entire house with laughter.
I’m learning to balance the needs of my adult and teen children with the needs of a little one. I find myself juggling two seasons at once, paying college bills with one hand while wiping a nose with the other. Somewhere in there, I’m squeezing in Government and History lessons with my high school and middle school aged sons.
Once again, I have found myself pulling up the stool in the kitchen for the little guy, showing him how to crack eggs without getting it all over the…oops. Too late. Let’s clean it up and try again. Meanwhile, my high schooler is scrambling his own eggs over at the stove. He used to be the one smashing eggs onto the countertop. Now he is capable and resourceful – and if I need him to, he’ll make an entire meal for the family.
Aww, it’s our little Malachi. The same Malachi who now shaves and is taller than me. Here he is now —>
I know this will be the outcome for our newest one too. So I patiently clean up the egg slime with Bonus Boy and we practice again cracking an egg without making a mess. I show him (again) how to stir the muffin batter without flinging the…oops. Let’s clean up the flour mess on the countertop and try again.
The messes? They are worth it. The effort and time and energy it takes to teach a child how to cook? My adult and teen sons prove that it absolutely is all worth it.
Here’s our Bonus Boy, getting in on the Homemade Applesauce action last fall!
I never thought I’d again be teaching a little one to cook, but well, never say never. God’s plans are much bigger, much wiser, and much better than ours. My chocolate-eyed boy proves this to me daily, filling me with wonder at what else God has in the works.
I’ve said it many times but I’ll say it again: Teach your kids to cook.
Even if it’s just the basics, give them the know-how they need to be comfortable in the kitchen. It’s good for them, but it’s even BETTER FOR YOU!!! With all the major changes in our lives (fostering and adopting kids!), if my big kids didn’t know how to cook, there would be days we would be scrambling to eat because my time is so limited right now.
Need some resources to help you know where to start?
We have this great eCookbook package that is a huge help!
[wp_eStore_fancy1 id=33]
Better yet, I highly recommend this incredible Kids Cook Real Food eCourse! We used it with Malachi and it was a lifesaver!
Our foster and adoption journey
As soon as I’m able, I’ll share more details about how God has brought us to this surprising and beautiful time in our lives. My writing time is extremely limited now, and for some very sweet and tiny reasons. Whatever you do, don’t make plans. God makes plans. We simply get to learn to trust and obey Him as we walk our daily journey with Him!
You bless us by sharing your heart through your writing. Thank you. Wow, Malachi has grown! Bonus boy and baby will, too, and I appreciate the reminder that loving God and people today is the greatest command and blessing.
We have three bio kids, and felt called into fostering and adoption. So… we have been walking the road of preparing for this without knowing how it will look, but what do we ever really know about the future, anyway? I know the One who does and will continue to learn to trust him with it. In each day and this day, he loves me.
Thank you for this online community of heavenly homemakers. I look forward to sharing your food and our faith with our own new bonus one and to reading more of your story.
Btw, Pslam 37, especially verses 4-5, has encouraged me today, and I pray that it encourages you as well.
Your Bonus Boy posts always make me tear up.
May God continue to Bless you and yours.
It is a blessing that you’re willing to show your example of righteous living And how important families are. I am sure the Lord is pleased to see that you’re willing to accept His will along with making your plans. Bonus boy will be raised as a righteous Son of God and he will help teach the importance of families and faith in Jesus Christ as he grows. Thank you for sharing your journey
Your family is truly wonderful for welcoming this little boy into your family. He will have a good life.
I can’t wait to hear this beautiful story! We celebrate our 10 year anniversary this year. If someone had told me at our wedding just the things that would happen over the past ten years and how God would sustain us I just wouldn’t have believed them. We are currently waiting for our own adoption (and waiting and waiting and waiting some more!). In the meantime I’m teaching my three year old to cook. (Stir slowly! Gently! Sure eat some of the wonderful veggies before they go in the pot!). :)
Photos! Does that mean the adoption process has been finalized?!?!?!
Not yet, I just tried to show the back/side of him. ;)
Oh my heart! So happy for your family! Can’t wait to hear how God worked this all out. Much love to you!
How good our God is! I am so happy for your family, I can’t wair for your story, I have thought before about the possibility of adoption, I have a 12 and a 10 yr old boy and girl but I long for more children, I am 43 and not sure if getting pregnant is in the works at my age, I would love to know about the process of adoption, thank you for opening your home and hearts to this little soul. ?