OLD Foster 2 Forever - Adopting Children through Foster Care

I'M MOVING....MY BLOG

2010-05-15T12:00:00.005-05:00

I'M MOVING!!!
This will be the last post for this blog.

(this cute photo is courtesy of www.ihasahotdog.com - check out their website if you're a dog person like me)

I began blogging a year ago to keep family and friends not on Facebook informed about what was going on in our life. I found it useful to feed posts into my Facebook notes since I couldn't tell the whole story on a status update.

My little blog started taking on a life of its own regarding being a foster parent.

I was being asked many questions from readers all over the U.S. about adopting through our foster care system.

I've now renamed my little blog - FOSTER2FOREVER - and will be focusing on the issues our family faces as foster parents (I haven't even begun to scratch the surface).

Beginning on Monday - my new blog address will be:

http://foster2forever.blogspot.com

I hope that you will still keep in touch!!!

Hugs out to y'all!
~penny
http://foster2forever.blogspot.com

FUNNY FRIDAY - Parenting Failures

2010-05-14T06:25:00.007-05:00

Our case worker sent us a series of pictures of parenting failures.
She stated,"Some people just aren't meant to be parents. Don't let me see you doing this!"

I have seen stupid people doing this on "America's Funniest Videos" but they were adults...

Have a great weekend enjoying your family!
Hugs to y'all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/

UPDATE ON LIL BIT (Part 5) - HOSPITAL STAY

2010-05-13T01:51:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, we had yet another health scare with Lil Bit (our 8-month-old foster baby). I had noticed that he was beginning to wheeze again. We gave him a breathing treatment of albuteral with his nebulizer, and began watching him closely.

Late that evening, after the other kids had gone to bed, he was becoming extremely fussy and crying out. His breathing was worse. Looking at his chest, I noticed that he was "retracting" (the skin was pulling in & out between the ribs with each breath). The scariest part was when I looked at his round, little face -- he was turning BLUE!!!

With tears in my eyes, I sped to the hospital with him crying out the 10-minute drive. I was so scared & trying to comfort him in the back seat with tear-soaked words. I drove over 50 mph through a residential zone & ran 2 red lights. I didn't care - I just wanted to get Lil Bit to the hospital!

I pulled up to the ER & frantically rushed inside.

Something was different -- Would you believe it?

This is the moment Lil Bit stopped crying.

I immediately told the young man at intake how this baby I was holding was struggling to breathe. The young man looked at this little angel quietly lying there and calmly replied,

"Please fill out this form, and I will need a copy on your insurance card."

"Uh, sure," I sheepishly replied.

I self-consciously picked up Lil Bit to find a seat in the crowded waiting room as everyone was quietly watching me. (I actually believe I heard an IV drip down the hall.) It was as if everyone's eyes were saying, "What a nutcase of a mother - wait your turn."

Just then, before I had made my way across the room, Lil Bit began wailing again. Strong & LOUD! Not that I wanted him to cry, but it did get the attention of a nurse that rushed to us.

"Let's check his oxygen level. Come with me!"

By this time, Lil bit was really screaming now! With his arms & legs flailing about, it took several trys to get any type of reading for his oxygen -- finally 92%

"Let's find an exam room so the doctor can see him," the nurse told another.

We quickly got settled into the ER exam room & them we had to..
WAIT
Doctor exam
WAIT
Blood tests
WAIT
Chest x-ray
WAIT
IV (this is the worst with an infant)
Steroid injection
WAIT
Breathing treatment
WAIT

DIAGNOSIS
Bronchialitis

At 2 a.m., the doctor returns and says, "He can go home now."

WAIT

45 minutes later, as the nurse begins to take the IV out of Lil Bit's arm, I exclaimed, "Look at his chest!" He was retracting again.

The nurse rushed to get the doctor. From the doorway, the doctor said, "Let's go ahead & admit him."

WAIT

At 5 a.m., we finally arrived at our room on the Pediatric floor of the hospital. We could finally get some sleep!

WAIT

30 minutes later, the nurses had completed the admissions paperwork and lowered the lights as they left the room.

Lil Bit & I finally slept....HARD!

The treatment Lil Bit received worked wonders!
His breathing improved tremendously throughout the day.
Lil Bit was released from the hospital late that afternoon.

I've since requested that Lil Bit be referred to a pediatric pulmonologist (worked great for Stinkpot). No one is balking at this request; in fact, the doctor and insurance company have been very helpful with the referral.

Lil Bit is on his way to receiving specialized care to prevent these health scares in regard to his breathing.

Have a great week enjoying your family!
Hugs to y'all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - YOGA

2010-05-12T07:15:00.003-05:00

So what do you think would be a good title for this picture I took of Stinkpot during his nap?
Have a good time thinking this one up!

Hugs to y'all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

CELEBRATING BEING A MOM

2010-05-10T07:45:00.001-05:00

This was my very first Mother's Day as an "official" MOM! I've been a stepmother for 6 years, a foster mother for 3 years; but this was my very first Mother's Day since adopting Stinkpot.

The time I enjoy most as a mother is watching my kids laughing and playing, and I wanted this on Mother's Day. Originally, I wanted to have a picnic in the park just enjoying the kids being kids, but the weather was threatening, SO...

I chose to have my Mother's Day luncheon at...

CHUCK E. CHEESE!

My husband hesitantly obliged -- He wanted to take me to a nice restaurant to treat me with a special meal.

But before you say I'm crazy let me tell you what I was thinking...

The kids wouldn't enjoy sitting still in a nice restaurant, we wouldn't enjoy making them sit still, and the meal would end with us making a mad dash out the door while Stinkpot made a huge scene. Not exactly my idea of enjoyable.

Tell me! Is that nuts? Should I have requested a nicer meal than pizza?

Here is my story...
When I was 5 years old, my dad took me to the old K-Mart on New Road to buy a gift for Mother's Day. His idea was to buy her an LP album of her favorite music, but this strong-willed little girl saw the "Cinderella" album and just KNEW my mother wanted that album.
Dad asked me as he picked up a Percy Sledge album,
"Don't you think she would like this one better?"
"Oh no, Daddy, she would like Cinderella!"

He purchased 2 albums & I ran excitedly to my mother to give her the gift I just knew she would love!

As she looked at the Cinderella album in her hands, I exclaimed, "Mommy, don't you want to listen to Cinderella?"

"Oh no, Sweetheart. Why don't you go to your room & listen to it?" And off I went, so happy on Mother's Day!

So let me tell you - I had a GREAT Mother's Day at Chuck E. Cheese!
(plus there was hardly anyone else there!)

Here's a picture my husband took of me laughing with Lil Bit, our 9-month-old foster baby.
I've entered it in this week's I Heart Faces photography challenge - Celebrating Mom.

Click on this link to head over to their incredible website & check out all the inspiring photos celebrating mom!

How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

Have a great week!
Hugs to y'all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2010-05-09T07:52:00.004-05:00

On this Mother's Day with my children (adopted & foster) - -

The Gift of Life
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown

Have a great Mother's Day!
Hugs to y'all,
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

THE PRAYER OF A TODDLER

2010-05-08T08:44:00.001-05:00

The other night, Stinkpot was saying his prayers:

"God bless Mommy
and
Daddy

and

French fries
and

chicken nougats
and

Grandma
and
PawPaw

and

Skittles
and

Granny"

What things do you pray for?

Have a great weekend!
Hugs to y'all,
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

FUNNY FRIDAY

2010-05-07T07:03:00.000-05:00

PHONES IN CHURCH

A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there.

Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes.

He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read "Calls: $10,000 a minute."

Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD.

The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Oklahoma City, and around the United States, he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Texas, upon entering a church in Houston, Texas - BEHOLD - he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents."

Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call.

Why?"

I love this part...............

The pastor, smiling benignly, replied,
"Son, you're in Texas now ...
You're in God's Country, It's a local call."

American by Birth - A Texan by the Grace of God!

Have a great weekend with your family.
Hugs to y'all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

UPDATE ON LIL BIT (Part 4) - Another Hospital Visit

2010-05-04T17:13:00.001-05:00

Thanks to an obstinate dairyman, I had a meeting scheduled out-of-town at 4 pm on Good Friday. Making lemonade out of lemons, my family traveled out of town with me on our way up to the Metroplex to visit cousins during the Easter holiday weekend.

That night, Lil Bit began coughing a horrible cough throughout the night. I called the local hospital to see if he could get RSV again (he was hospitalized with it for 4 days in February). "Yes!" was the reply. At 4 o'clock in the morning I dressed and headed to the small-town ER with Lil Bit coughing the entire way.

My thoughts were racing - if Lil Bit needs to be hospitalized:

Can I take him to the hospital back home or would they want him to stay here?
Would he have to ride in an ambulance as Stinkpot did last time he was hospitalized?
How long would we have to stay in this small-town hospital?
Would he need to spend another 4 days in the hospital like the last time he had RSV?

I arrived at the ER and the doctors were quick to examine him. The doctor's thought was that with his throat being so red that he may have strep throat. The nurses came in and tested him for strep & RSV.

The tests results came back quickly: No strep, no RSV, just a common cold. YEAH! We can leave!

When I got back to the hotel, everyone was up & ready for breakfast. Ready for an Easter egg hunt!

A funny thing did happen in this small-town hotel though. I thought it only happened in the movies, but....

the elevator broke down with my kids inside!!!

After that fiasco, we finally were able to head to my sister's house & the cousins had such a good time together on their Easter egg hunt. They were so proud of their findings!!

Have a great week with your family!

Hugs to y'all!

http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

THEN & NOW - A Forever Friendship

2010-05-03T17:48:00.001-05:00

Here is a scrapbook page I created after I discovered that I was sitting with my friends from first grade in our class picture many, many years ago. This is the first scrapbook page I created digitally using Photoshop & it shows.

The journaling reads:

"It's impossible to believe that Deanna, Shannon, Ann & I have been friends for over 30 years!

We became friends in first grade and grew up together. We've shared many firsts together: reading our first book, losing our first tooth, going on our first field trip, having our first crush, and plying our first "Truth or Dare".

Unbeknownst to them, these girls became my rock, my escape, and, in essence, my extended family when my own family broke apart during my parents' divorce. Our private lunches behind the curtains on the cafeteria stage comforted me through that tumultuous time.

When we graduated together in 1983, we were the last class of CSHS to attend first through twelfth grades at the same campus.

Even with me living away from Waco for nearly 20 years, we've kept in touch, and I have always felt like I could come "home".

Deanna, Shannon, & Ann have become family to me and are a part of my heritage."

I entered this in a fun photography challenge on the IHeartFaces website for the theme "Then & Now."

Do you have childhood friends with which you still keep in touch?

Have a great week!

Hugs to y'all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/

FUNNY FRIDAY - A Dying Man's Last Wish

2010-04-09T11:11:00.005-05:00

A very old man lay dying in his bed. In death's doorway, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookie wafting up the stairs.

He gathered his remaining strength and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands.

With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven.

There, spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.

Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table. The aged and withered hand, shaking, made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.

"Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral."

Have a great week!

Hugs to y'all!

~penny

http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/

EASTER RESURRECTION COOKIES

2010-04-03T06:34:00.003-05:00

These cookies are to be made the evening before Easter to demonstrate the story of Christ's resurrection. Our family will be making these together for the first time this year.

You will need:

1c. whole pecans,
1 tsp. vinegar,
3 egg whites,
pinch salt,
1c. sugar,
zipper baggie,
wooden spoon,
tape,
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 BEFORE BEGINNING.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt.27:65-66.

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty!
Read Matt. 28:1-9

Enjoy!
Have a great weekend celebrating the resurrection of Christ!

HAPPY EASTER!!!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

Running the Race with Asthma

2010-03-24T12:43:00.015-05:00

Last October, upon leaving the doctor's office after a routine visit, I was given a flu shot (not H1N1). After a bout with the flu in 1993, I do my best to get vaccinated. However, the next evening, after dinner, my lip swelled up & I broke out in hives! I was a polka-dotted Angelina Jolie!

After a series of tests, the allergist diagnosed me as allergic to, not only the flu vaccine, but ragweed, cats, mold, and elm trees! After another test, I was diagnosed with asthma. How can that be? Isn't that a childhood disease that they can possibly outgrow? I'm nearly 45 years old!

My allergist informed me that I have adult-onset asthma. What? The diagnosis of asthma actually explained a number of concerns in regard to my health. The persistent cough I had struggled with for the last few years. The tightness in my chest that, at times, could become somewhat painful. All indications of asthma that I never considered.

There is no cure for asthma, only control. The doctor put me on a daily regimen of Singulair, Flonase, and Advair that have helped control my symptoms.

During my asthma test, I noticed a poster of Olympic swimmer, Amy Van Dyken. It stated that she had asthma since childhood. An Olympic champion? With asthma? Since forever? Wow!

I asked my doctor about exercising with asthma, and she suggested that exercise would, in fact, help build my lung capacity. I had been a long-distance runner in high school. I had also trained for the 2004 Houston Marathon, until a back injury at the 7-mile training mark sidelined me from completing the training program. I now made a goal of running a 5K.

Last year, the Komen Foundation gave a $50,000 grant to the Community Cancer Association to provide medicine & supplies to breast cancer patients in my area. (I am on the Board of Directors of this incredible organization.) The Komen Race for the Cure was scheduled for April 24, 2010. Five months should be plenty of time to train!

In November, I began training on the treadmill. I would jog 30 seconds, then walk for a minute & a half. I couldn't believe how difficult this was. I was winded after a 30 second jog! It took a solid month of this before I ever felt that I could breathe without difficulty.

A person with asthma has to build up exercising slowly. Overdoing it could have very serious consequences. I learned this hard way a few Fridays ago. The weather was just beautiful, and I went outside for a long run. I wanted to run most of the course. I was jogging 1 & a half minutes at a time, and had run 2 miles on the treadmill the day before. I was ready! Or so I thought...

On a treadmill, I would run a set speed; however, once outside, I just ran. Probably too fast. I also had hill & wind outside that I didn't have on a treadmill. I ran about 2 & a half miles that day. I was so sick the next day and throughout the weekend! It took me nearly a week before I felt recovered enough to get back on the treadmill. But I did.

I've since built up to 2-minute jogs and may stay at this level for a while. I am coughing a little more than usual now. Maybe from overdoing, or maybe from all the pollen in the air. My original goal of jogging the entire 5K has been obliverated with concerns over my health. It may take months or even years, or I may never be able to jog a 5K in its entirety.

My goal now is just to finish! Without killing myself!

And that's OKAY!!!

Have a great week reaching your goals!

~penny

http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/

2 YRS AGO - BABY FOR FOSTER CARE ONLY...LATER ADOPTED!

2010-03-11T20:59:00.009-06:00

2 years ago on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at around 3pm, I received a call from CPS for an 8-month-old baby boy that needed a foster home. "Foster only", she repeated twice. "Sure!" was my quick response.

If you recall, that was election day. My husband & I were planning to attend our precinct convention that evening & were excited about the possibility of attending the Texas Republican convention again, this time in a presidential election year.

However, this call from CPS changed our focus from that night forward.

A CPS investigator from an adjacent county arrived at our home at 6:45 that Tuesday evening carrying in her arms the cutest baby boy. His bright eyes lit up as he smiled at us for the first time. His bottom 2 teeth gleaming. He was wearing an olive corduroy jacket over his navy onesie with the cutest navy & white striped pants. He was wearing navy tennis shoes! So adorable!

I can only rely on my memory as I didn't have the foresight to grab my camera.
(A mistake I haven't made again!)

As the CPS investigator began telling us the story on this baby, we were thinking "how can anybody neglect a baby that way?" He came with next to nothing & had been kept in his car seat & dirty diapers. What a horrible diaper rash he had! (This is one reason we are having such a difficult time potty-training him now!) He was 8 months old & couldn't sit up or even roll over! He was also very sick. (Look at those poor little sick eyes!)

That first night was TORTURE! He was so congested that he could only sleep 15 minutes at a time - ALL NIGHT LONG! It was the most exhausting night of my life!

The next morning I drove 1-1/2 to pick up my mother-in-law to help me. I had no idea how to care for an infant! (When pregnant, you have nearly 8-9 months to prepare.) I was an instant Mommy!

For the next 2 weeks, we had DAILY trips to Walmart to pick up some type of baby paraphernalia that we needed. I was absolutely, totally FRAZZLED for at least 6 weeks solid - overwhelmed by the incredible responsibility of instant motherhood!

As time went on, it became more apparent that this baby wouldn't be going back to his mother. He did have a full brother 2 years older that was living with his paternal grandmother. The baby would have been sent to live with his grandmother, but she was already raising SIX of her other grandchildren!

Once the mother's rights were terminated, the grandmother realized that we could provide more for the baby than she could & decided to allow us to adopt him.

Here he is on the day we adopted him!

What a handsome little man he is!

What a blessing he has been to our lives!

Have a great week!

Hugs! ~penny

http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

UPDATE ON LIL BIT (Part 3) - ANOTHER DAY IN COURT

2010-03-02T16:26:00.019-06:00

This morning we went to court again for a placement hearing on our 6-month-old foster baby that we have nicknamed Lil Bit.

Our day in court began at 9am; however, with a full docket, our case was, of course, heard LAST after the 5 other cases (one was from 2001)!

Tic tock, tic tock...
More attorney fees.
In fact, we actually had TWO attorneys representing us in court today!

When our case finally was called, it was after 11am.
TWO hours of attorney fees to listen to other cases!

First, the mother's attorney called up the foster dad that has 5 of the mother's other children. (The mother wants Lil Bit with her other children.)

The baby's ad litem attorney jumped up adamantly objecting.
"He has no standing!"
"No relevance now!"
"He hasn't even met the child!"

The judge said he would briefly allow this testimony. This testimony was mainly regarding how he currently cares for the mother's other children.

Then the cross-fire, I mean, cross-examination from the baby's ad litem attorney shot out. She asked some very tough questions.

"If the other children are failing in school, how can you care for another child?" He wasn't able to answer the question.

"The last home study completed when you adopted the mother's last child stated that you were to not have any more children in your home, correct?"

The CPS caseworker was the next witness. The CPS attorney and the baby's ad litem attorney focused on how Lil Bit should be with his great-aunt. Our attorneys focused questions so that she would say that Lil Bit would be safest with us.

Then the baby's ad litem attorney called Lil Bit's mother onto the stand. She began by asking detailed questions about her relationship with the father, where she conceived the baby, when the father moved to Mexico, when she moved to Mexico, when and where she gave birth to Lil Bit.

(Later, our attorney told us that those questions were to confirm that the U.S. and Texas have jurisdiction over Lil Bit's case and not Mexico where he was born.)

Then I was called to testify on the stand. I was so nervous, nearly to tears. So much on the line here. Our attorney asked me questions to reiterate to the court that Lil Bit would be safest in our home, since we have no contact with the violent members of his birth family.

Leave it to me that when he asked me questions in the negative like attorneys sometimes do, I messed up my answer & he would have to repeat it & I would have to correct myself.
(All these expensive meetings & he didn't prepare me for THAT!)

No other attorneys questioned me (another good sign).

My husband testified so diplomatically when asked who the baby preferred. "When both of us are in the room, the baby prefers my wife!" (His calm diplomacy is one of the characteristics that drew me to marry him.)

To our advantage today, the great-aunt wasn't in court to testify. It was optimistically believed that CPS didn't inform her of the new court date since it had been postponed twice.

The judge ordered a brief recess to review the great-aunt's home study and call the attorneys into his chambers.

The judge then issued his ruling...
THE BABY WOULD STAY WITH US UNTIL ANOTHER PERMANENCY HEARING ON MAY 25TH!!!!

So - HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
But by May 25th, Lil Bit will be in our home as a member of our family for 6 months of his 9 months of life! Two-thirds of his life with us!
That will be to our benefit at the next hearing....

A HUGE THANK YOU for all your prayers!

Have a great week cherishing your loved ones!

Hugs to you all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

SNOW - An Act of God!

2010-02-25T07:36:00.003-06:00

What an AMAZING day of snow in Texas!

Over THREE inches! WOW!

As Texans, we become frozen with enchantment of a winter wonderland.

Schools close.
Businesses close.
Snowmen line our streets.
Snowball fights ensue.

The anomaly of snow here in Texas brings out the kid in all of us!

In Texas, any amount of snow necessitates a winter weather advisory.
But 3 inches of snow in Texas is an Act of God!

An Act of God is a legal term used in contracts & other legal documents to describe events outside of human control, such as storms & natural disasters.

Not that the 3 inches of snow here could ever be described as a disaster,
but it is an Act of God!
A blessing!

And the timing of God's blessings can show us all that He is in control of EVERYTHING!

Psalm 107:25 - "For He commands & raises the stormy wind,
which lifts up the waves of the sea."

We were richly blessed by the snow this week, not only for the joy it brought into our lives, but in that our custody hearing for our foster baby was postponed another week!

Another week to enjoy & love this angelic baby as part of our family!
Another week to PRAY!

Isn't it amazing that God is in complete control of every aspect of our lives?

"And we know that all things God work together for good
to those who love God" - Romans 8:28

Have a great week enjoying the blessings in your life!

Hugs to you!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

SNOW DAY IN TEXAS!!!!

2010-02-23T17:44:00.013-06:00

Snow like this hasn't happened in over 20 years here in this part of Texas!
We all had so much fun in the snow....

Playing fetch!

And it's all fun...

Until someone gets hurt!!!

My 2-year-old's revenge!!!

My little snowflake!

Have a great week & bundle up!
Hugs!
~penny

My First Time!

2010-02-22T13:21:00.002-06:00

I made CHICKEN FRIED STEAK!!!

All by myself!
From SCRATCH!!!

I have always believed that this was a dish that could only be made at a restaurant.
I didn't think normal people could make this -
I was so intimidated & never even thought about EVER making it myself.

But with a little help from The Pioneer Woman
& her new book "Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl".

I DID IT!!! And not only was it actually edible - it actually tasted quite delicious!
(The only thing about recipes is that they always tell you to fry meat for only a few minutes -
mine is NEVER cooked inside after just a few minutes so adjust the recipe accordingly)

If you go to The Pioneer Woman's website, be sure & read her love story & how she fell in love w/ Marlboro Man - it's very entertaining!

I can somewhat relate since I moved from a city of 4 million to a town of 1400
after I met (reconnected) with my special man...

Oh, and guess what else - I took this picture of our meal!! Yeah, me!
With my new SLR camera - still learning how to use all these buttons -
But WOW! I amaze myself with these pictures!
Let me know of any books, websites, etc. that will help me as I learn to use this blasted thing!

Have a great week doing something that you love
& don't be afraid to try something new!

Hugs to you all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

UPDATE on Lil Bit...Part 2 (Our Day in Court)

2010-02-22T07:27:00.000-06:00

Foster parents usually don't have "standing" in a custody hearing on foster children unless the child has been in the foster home for at least a year.
["Standing mean that you have a legal case in court.
If you don't have standing, your case is dismissed.]

Here we are about to "intervene" in the custodial placement of Lil Bit, our 6-month-old foster baby, into the home of his great-aunt. A foster family "intervening" in a family placement is pretty much unheard of in our area.

However, this is an unusual case in that another family also tried to intervene in Lil Bit's placement with the great-aunt. All of Lil Bit's 5 siblings have previously been adopted by a friend of his birth mother. This family friend also intervened and requested standing in court.

Lil Bit's birth mother was supporting him going to live with this family and his 5 siblings (along with the many other children in the home)
instead of with her aunt.

However, Children Protective Services (CPS), the baby's ad litem attorney, the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the baby, ALL objected to their intervention. Their case was quickly dismissed with these objections and since they had not even met Lil Bit.

At this point, there was no objection to our standing in this case.
(WE'RE IN!!!)

Now that the birth mother's friend wouldn't get Lil Bit, the mother asked her attorney to meet me. Our attorneys awkwardly agreed. When we were introduced, I gave her pictures I had taken of Lil Bit in the 2 months he had lived with us. Looking through the photos, she wiped away tears from her face. She decided to now support us instead of her aunt in this custody hearing. (Strange, isn't it? But we'll take it!)

Also, in our favor, there was doubt of whether Lil Bit would be able to receive government benefits in the near future. Since we are financially able to provide for him with our income, the CASA and ad litem attorney now supported Lil Bit staying with us.

So now we are in court asking that our foster baby stay in our home and not go live with a relative. The baby's mother, ad litem attorney and CASA all support Lil Bit staying with us.
Then, there is CPS policy...

The CPS policy is, if possible, children are placed with family members -
However, since CPS is the only party not supporting the baby staying with us, they had to call state headquarters to see if they could officially support the baby staying with us. If so, then there would be a consensus of all the parties that Lil Bit stay with us and we could all go home without a hearing.

So there we are in court -
waiting -
tic tock, tic tock -
$4 a minute in attorney fees...

45 minutes later we finally get the official answer from Austin.
CPS policy is always family first.

The judge then granted a continuance and our custody hearing is now set for this afternoon.

Please pray for us - we need strength, courage and faith that "all things work together for good."

UPDATE on Lil Bit...Part 1

2010-02-19T09:35:00.002-06:00

My last writing on our now 6-month old foster baby, he was in the hospital with RSV & we were to give him to a relative on the 9th. It has been a whirlwind since!!!

Lil Bit was admitted to the hospital on February 2nd - Groundhog Day, no less - for RSV. My wonderful husband and I took turns staying/spending the night at the hospital. (An adult has to stay with an infant at all times)

Already emotionally & physically exhausted, I received all the legal paperwork discussing Lil Bit, his birth family, & the home study of a family member. Instead of being placed with his 5 siblings & other children, the home study recommended that Lil Bit be placed with his great-aunt. (don't freak out - she's younger than us at 33 years young!) As I read the home study & how they already had a room ready for Lil Bit, I began to cry. This baby has a family that loves him & wants him! He has 12-year-old & 7-year-old cousins that are excited about having a baby in their home. Who are we to get in the way of that?

I spent Thursday night in the hospital alone with Lil Bit saying my goodbyes to the little man & sleeping very little. (Can you hear the violins softly playing in the background?)

On Friday morning, my knight in shining armor that I married 5 years ago, comes into the gloomy hospital room & tells me that he wants to meet with our attorney. "I just want to hear what the attorney has to say" were the words he repeated to me.

Later that morning, I received a conference call from the law firm - my husband & TWO attorneys. Some of the things discussed:

Great-aunt cannot financially take care of Lil Bit without government assistance;
An arrest of great-uncle for violence years ago;
Lil Bit has lived with only the mother & us;
We have had Lil Bit for 1/3 of his life;
We have the financial capability to take care of Lil Bit long term;
Final adoption of Lil Bit is uncertain - other family members may be located;
This may cost up to $15K in legal fees!

So much to digest in one call & a really tough, expensive decision to make!

I was both excited & shocked when my frugal knight in shining armour told me -

"LET'S GO FOR IT!!!"

....to be continued....

Hugs until then!

~penny

http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/

All By Myself!

2010-02-18T09:27:00.000-06:00

Stinkpot is such a strong-willed 2-year-old!

He is DETERMINED to dress himself with NO help from anyone!

Even if he winds up wearing a SKIRT with a BUSTLE!!!

Have a great week with your family!

Hugs! ~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

YES, IT DOES GET WORSE!

2010-02-04T04:57:00.006-06:00

What a week!

I am still very nervous about what going to happen to Lil Bit, our 5-month-old foster baby. His case worker called me last Friday to tell me that they were going to send Lil Bit to the family member that has his other 5 siblings.

Since then, I have spoken with our attorney, and it all comes down to whether we, as foster parents, have standing for a court case. Foster parents can ask a judge to be considered as an option for placement if the child has lived with them for a year. Even though Lil Bit has lived with us less than 2 months - he has lived with us for 20% of his short life. But that doesn't hold up in court.

We will have to prove that placing Lil Bit with the family member will possibly "endanger or otherwise cause harm" to him. Did I mention that, as I understand it, this family member has 6 children of their own? I know that CPS is not recommending this placement; however, the family member does have an attorney & is requesting a sibling placement. I am meeting with our attorney tomorrow.

The worst part of all this is that I took Lil Bit to the doctor on Tuesday because he was getting a cough - and, turns out he has RSV! He was admitted to the hospital & is in isolation! I'm thankful I went ahead and took him before he had gotten worse! He has been doing well in that he is still getting plenty of oxygen; however, he has been fighting a fever & severe congestion.

Please keep Lil Bit and our family in your prayers!

THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING A FOSTER PARENT

2010-01-29T17:25:00.013-06:00

We have been so blessed as foster parents to have such beautiful, wonderful foster children! It has been "pure joy" to open our home to neglected children. But now comes the hard part - I received a call today that CPS has found a home with a family member for our 5-month-old precious baby boy that we've been fostering for the last month and a half.

The toughest part emotionally has to be that since CPS did not foresee any family members for this baby, we were asked, "Do you want to keep him?" Anticipating his membership into our family, we have been searching for a name to fit this beautiful dark-haired, blue-eyed baby and had decided on Joshua Claude. (Another "J" name for another boy which means God rescues & a middle name to honor my husband's late uncle that passed away before we started dating)

I don't blame anyone. I can totally understand why someone would want this beautiful creation. He is so perfect! He only cries when he's wet or hungry and now only wakes once during the night. Did I mention that he is BEAUTIFUL???

I'm extremely disappointed and have contacted our attorney to see if we have any say at all. Right now I'm feeling quite nervous and have butterflies the size of 737s in my stomach. I know, however, as the impending date of February 9th draws closer, losing this little angel will become more difficult to deal with.

Until then, I must focus on being the best parent I can be for this child and the others in our home.

Romans 8:28 "all things work together for good to those who love God..."

I will keep you posted as more details unfold...

Hugs to you!
-penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

Read more about our adventures in fostering by clicking the fostering label.

COMING HOME - IN HIS PLAN

2010-01-22T17:24:00.007-06:00

Within the last 2 weeks, 2 of my dear friends lost close family members. It is by God's grace & guiding hand that He has shown me that by coming home, I was able to share in their grief. Coming home was in His plan all along!

When I left for college in 1988, I really didn't think I would ever return. After graduating from college, I moved to a big city of 4 million. I fell in love with all the excitement & activities that the big city had to offer. I became a bonefide "CITY GIRL" and loved my life there for over 15 years.

After a whirlwind long-distance courtship, I eloped & married a wonderful godly man that I had been close friends with during my youth. Soon afterward, I left a city of 4 million to move to a town of 1400 so that my new husband could remain an integral part of his 12-year-old son's life.

In this small town, I missed the big city and my friends I left behind. Because I was a little over an hour from where I grew up, I was able to reconnect with old friends, albiet on a limited scale.

After a year of small town life, both my husband and I longed for the convenience of a city. We began to plan for our return "HOME". I had been gone from Central Texas nearly 19 years and, although my husband did not grow up in the area, he had lived in Central Texas for nearly 20 years, so it had become "home" for him as well.

Since our move nearly 3 years ago, I have personally lost 4 family members and have watched as close friends have tragically lost family members as well. By coming home, I have been able to personally share condolences and hopefully give comfort to my friends and family. I wouldn't have been able to do this living away in the big city.

Looking back, I can see God's guiding hand in my life to bring me home. Proverbs 16:9 says "a man's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps." As a single girl in the big city, I never thought I would ever leave big city life; however, the husband God chose for me determined the steps to bring me back home to my roots.

Thank you, Lord, for having plans to give me hope and a future that I NEVER expected! (Jeremiah 29:11) I love the fabulous life you have given me!!!!

Hugs to you!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/

My husband LOVED this.....

2010-01-08T17:11:00.004-06:00

The other day after work, I dropped by a local camera store for a hands-on look at a camera I've been eyeing for a few weeks now. (though I really don't NEED another camera)

The young salesman was doing a great job of demonstrating the different features of their line of Canon cameras (my favorite). As we were talking, I pulled out my camera to show him a few of my pictures & get some advice on how to improve them.

As I was showing him pictures of our new 4-month-old foster baby that we're hoping to adopt, he smiled & said, "CUTE GRANDBABY!"

Given that statement, I will NOT be purchasing from him!

Bundle up & have a GREAT weekend with your loved ones!

Hugs to you all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

On Becoming a Foster Parent

2010-01-06T21:41:00.000-06:00

This has been an exciting few weeks! On Tuesday, December 15th, I received a call from CPS asking if we would accept a 4-month-old baby boy to foster. Of course, I said, "YES!" I picked him up an hour later. He is so beautiful & such a good baby! I AM SO BLESSED!

Because the child's mother has had numerous children removed before & has already had her parental rights terminated, he will be eligible for adoption after all the legal stuff has been completed.

I've had a number of people asking me about foster parenting & how difficult the process is. It actually isn't that difficult to become a foster parent. Our licensing was more complex because we were in the middle of moving to a different county during the process, but overall, the process wasn't too bad. We are licensed through our state agency as both a foster & adoptive home.

The first step is to attend an informational meeting. There are a number being held Tuesday, January 12th in the evening in Houston, Austin, Bryan & Waco. Check HERE for details. This is very informal, but for some reason, attending this meeting is required before moving forward in the process.

Next, you would attend a 35-hour parent education training, called PRIDE (short for Parent Resource Information Development Education). Our classes met twice a week for a few hours each evening. Before each class, we had to bring "homework", which actually were documents required for our homestudy, such as identification, family profile/background form, home layout, desired children profile form, & scheduling FBI fingerprinting, etc. This helped keep the documentation process less cumbersome.

You will also need CPR/First Aid training, a home fire inspection (local fire dept) & a home health inspection. (We completed our CPR training at our jobs.)

Lastly, a home study will be conducted by a caseworker that will come to your home and interview everyone in the home. For us, scheduling the caseworker took the longest because we lived in a rural county 40 minutes from Bryan. When she finally came, we had already closed on our house & were in the process of moving. We had already boxed up a lot, given away our sofa & had to sit in the dining room for the interviews.

The cost of becoming licensed with the state agency has been minimal with the FBI fingerprinting costing around $50 per person. [Anyone over the age of 18 living in the home will have to be fingerprinted. My stepson will have to be fingerprinted SOON!] We also had to purchase a fire extinguisher for the home.

I hope this post gives you the information you need. If you are remotely interested, I encourage you to attend the informational meeting next week.

James 1:27 says that we are to reach out to orphans & widows in their distress.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know!

God bless & hugs to you all!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com

New Year's Resolutions/Goals for 2010

2010-01-03T06:45:00.011-06:00

Resolutions seem to go away the first week, but here are some goals I'd like to accomplish in 2010. Wish me luck & lots of prayer!

Spiritual
*Read the Old Testament - all of it - in chronological order. I found this really great One Year Chronological Bible at Mardel's for $15. It is organized chronologically, which is really helping me with putting all the great Bible stories together how they happened. It's like reading a great novel!

Family
*Provide a safe, loving Christian home to all my sons. My stepson graduates in May. Dakota, my very strong-willed toddler is a disciplinary challenge. We hope to adopt our foster baby boy sometime in 2010. (If you'd like information on fostering or adopting children in Texas - attend an informational meeting in your area.)

Homelife
*Get organized (somehow!) with cleaning, cooking & raising preschoolers while working full-time. I'm going to have to try this FlyLady thing again. To help with meal planning, I purchased this computer program -Dinner is Ready: 30 Meals in One Day - that I like alot. It puts together your menus & shopping lists by clicking on the recipes you like - you can even add your own recipes. Now to find the time to do the grocery shopping & cooking...(p.s. so far I have only been able to get this program to work on our PC with Microsoft xp, but not with Vista)

Personal
*Run the 5k in the Komen Central Texas Race for the Cure on April 24th. I have already begun training on the treadmill at work, but yesterday, I threw out my back...ug! Have any of you participated before?

Community
*Fight cancer in Central Texas by raising $15,000 for the Community Cancer Association at our first Quarters for Cancer event on Saturday, March 27th at Richland Mall. Anyone want to help or volunteer?

What are your goals/resolutions for 2010? Am I being too ambitious?

Hugs to you all!
~penelope
http://www.txpenelope.blogspot.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-12-31T12:52:00.005-06:00

Our family wishes you a great year!

As we come to the end of another decade, I reflect on how much my life has changed.

I celebrated the beginning of the millenium 2000 with a large group of single friends. Five years later, I married a wonderful man that I had known since before high school. In 2009, we adopted a 2-year-old little boy & just 2 weeks ago, we received the most beautiful 4-month-old little boy that will soon be available for adoption.

My life has changed drastically & I LOVE it! This holiday season has been the best EVER! And I can't help but smile constantly. I have been truly blessed!

Because of the recent wonderful changes in our family, we had to cancel our plans to travel to spend New Year's Eve with friends. It doesn't really matter, because we are exhausted! We will spend a quiet evening at home with our children.

However, tomorrow, on New Year's Day, as my husband is watching football & the kids, I will be hitting Dillard's for 50% off clearance sales!! Whoopie! Maybe I'll actually purchase something for myself too!

Also, ScrapMatters.com is having a sale!

WISHING YOU A HAPPY & BLESSED NEW YEAR & DECADE!!!

Sweet Dreams

2009-12-14T17:00:00.005-06:00

This week, I made a little time for myself to put together a scrapbook page.

This was such a cute picture of our foster girl that I just had to scrap it again, this time using a pink & brown kit to match what she is wearing. I used this cute Sweet Chocolate Dream kit designed by LDRAG Designs
It is available at Scrappity-Doo-Dah now.
Beginning December 15th, this kit will be available at
Digiridoo Scraps and Sunshine Studio Scraps.

Christmas Lights....Continued

2009-12-12T09:49:00.018-06:00

Last night, we began a tradition of taking the kids to look at Christmas lights. We had a difficult time finding the "Nature in Lights" park on Fort Hood. In our journey, we came upon this house where they decked the halls, doors, windows, roof, trees & the rest of the yard with boughs of Christmas lights. When our teenager said that he wanted his Dad to decorate our house like this, my husband's response was, "I'll pay somebody!"

{We still don't have our lights out}

The park only cost $5 for the vehicle. Our 2-year-old was so excited!

He was looking out the window waving to all the other cars.

Dakota really enjoyed driving us through the park!

We saw Frosty the Snowman.

A cute winter village.

And even a patriotic display.

However, after a while, as it got late, Dakota got cranky!

With displays for about 5 miles,

it was after 10 pm when we finally left the park!

As we left the park, we had to drive through this crazy tunnel of flashing lights.

Next year, we will leave early & try to arrive around dusk. We left our house at 7pm & finally found the park around 8pm. It took around 30 minutes plus to wait in line to pay admission. After we actually got into the park, the drive was very smooth with only a small delay as we left the park.

This was such a fun family Christmas outing, we'll look forward to it next year.

Christmas Lights

2009-12-08T19:28:00.009-06:00

Christmas is always a hectic time of year. Add on top of that an active 2-year-old boy & a crazy work schedule & sadly, decorating our home for the holidays becomes more of a chore than joy. We (actually just my husband, as Jonathan & I were too tired) finally put up the Christmas tree late last week. We have yet to even start decorating the outside (& we have a new nativity). This is truly sad as Dakota is so excited to see Christmas lights on the neighbors' homes. Hopefully, we will have decent weather this weekend to finally put out the Christmas lights.

When we do finally decorate our home we won't decorate our home like this person. Read their decorating story below:

"Good news is that I truly outdid myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people coming up to my house than ever."

Cherokee Legend

2009-12-02T06:55:00.000-06:00

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience,
because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises.
Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.
He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.
Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us,
Sitting on the stump beside us.
When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

Moral of the story:
Just because you can't see God,
Doesn't mean He is not there.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" ~2 Corinthians 5:7

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." ~2 Corinthians 5:10

Every Day

2009-11-29T06:13:00.003-06:00

"Everyday I will praise you."
-Psalm 145:2

THE PRINCESS & THE PEE

2009-11-27T23:30:00.000-06:00

Monday was another workday that began at 5 a.m. I was scheduled to take samples at an out-of-town dairy at 7 a.m. Now, dairies do smell horrible. The manure & urine from the penned areas flow into large ponds.

In order to take samples, we walk around the pond & dip samples from various locations. It was cold & damp with dew collected on the tall grass around the pond's perimeter. The legs of my jeans were soaked. After the lagoon was sampled, then a sample of manure was taken (fortunately, I didn't escort for this one).

Afterward, I'm driving down the highway wondering, "How am I going to get this smell out of my nose?" I felt like it lingered on me. I checked my boots again. "No visible signs of manure here." I went to the state agency in Stephenville for some documentation & visited with the staff some. As I got in my car, I noticed the smell again. "Is it me?" I checked my boots again. "No cow manure." This was beginning to frustrate me.

At 11 a.m., I couldn't hold off on eating lunch. When your day starts so early, you become famished earlier. After I ordered my meal & began chomping on some chips & salsa, again I wondered, "why do I still smell manure?" I went outside to check my boots again & find a boot scraper. (They can be found at the doorstep of many fine establishments in rural Texas.)

As I stood in the sun, checking my boots once again, my answer was revealed as a yellow water ring around the calves of my pant legs. Apparently, the hem of my jeans was wet not just from the dew around the waste lagoon....

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T05:21:00.001-06:00

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Helping Others

2009-11-22T06:11:00.001-06:00

"Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
-Galatians 6:2

Our Fallen Hero

2009-11-19T16:34:00.014-06:00

This morning started VERY early!

I had to leave the house at 5 a.m. to get to a 7 a.m. meeting out of town. On the way back, in the small town of Hico, people were lined up along the highway along with many American flags. Hico was welcoming their fallen hero home.

U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Shawn Hefner gave his life in Operation Enduring Freedom on Friday, November 13, 2009 in Afghanistan when he stepped on a mine. He was only 22 years old.

I am blessed to have men overseas protecting my freedom!

Please pray for the Hefner family & the town of Hico!

A Visit from the Pastor

2009-11-12T07:26:00.001-06:00

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard thy voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked."

Remember when the funniest jokes were the clean ones? They still are!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Prov. 17:22)

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!

Shutterfly Photobooks on Sale

2009-11-10T07:18:00.001-06:00

Save $10 on Shutterfly photobooks! Offer ends tonight! Use Promotion code SAVETEN.

Going Through the Motions...

2009-11-08T12:04:00.002-06:00

I don't want to go though the motions,
I don't want to go one more day,
Without His all-consuming passion
Inside of me.

I don't want to spend my whole life asking
What if I'd given everything

Instead of going through the motions!

~Matthew West

Our Happy Halloween!

2009-11-04T17:08:00.001-06:00

My little Mickey Mouse.

We had such a great time as Mickey & Minnie!

My little Mickey Mouse was so excited that he was exclaiming to everyone,

"I got CANDY! I got CANDY!"

Faithful Sunday

2009-11-01T19:31:00.001-06:00

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to

Leave the examination room and said,

'Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'

'You don't know? You're, a Christian man,

and don't know what's on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door;

On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,

And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room

And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,

'Did you notice my dog?

He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside.

He knew nothing except that his master was here,

And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death,

But I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

SNAPFISH - BUY 1 GET 1 FREE PHOTO BOOK

2009-10-21T17:01:00.001-05:00

SNAPFISH is having a Buy 1 Get 1 FREE sale on their Custom Cover 8x11 photobooks. Each book has 20 to 150 pages and sells for $29.99. Just put 2 of the 8x11 photobooks in you cart & use the coupon code FALLBOOKS09. This promotion expires Friday, November 6th.

REWARDS!!!

2009-10-14T17:01:00.001-05:00

This week I purchased a Reward Chart for my 2-year-olds. I especially wanted to use it in potty training, but was hopeful that getting a sticker for "picking up toys" would be an fun incentive for both of them. (They are so competitive!)

It was both a success & a failure. At 2 years, my little ones just can't see the reward in chart form; however, the good news is that they LOVE to get a sticker on their hand. A reward that they can feel & touch & show!

Stickers are GREAT! So far, Dakota has #2 in the potty TWICE! Both of them will now eat almost ANYTHING for a sticker! Later, I may find these stickers all over the place - but who cares? - they are currently model children. No more "terrible twos" hopefully!!!

Wouldn't it be great if as mothers, we got stickers everytime we had a great "mommy moment"? Wow! I caught the vomit in my bare hands before it hit the sofa! "STICKER!" Boy, I did a great job in cleaning up that diarrhea all over the bed! STICKER!

But, honestly, the reward stickers we get as moms last a lot longer than a sticker. The hugs, the kiss good-night, the smiles & giggles will be in my memory forever!

As with motherhood, the rewards of following Christ can come with some sacrifices. As Christians, our labors & sacrifices will be rewarded. "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" (Ephesians 3:20, The Message) So God promises us rewards more than we can imagine! The best of these is eternal life through Him. We may have suffering in this life, but the blessings will outweigh our difficulties 100 to 1! (see Matthew 19:29 & Mark 10:30) Have a BLESSED week!

Frustrations of a Working Mom

2009-10-07T22:40:00.003-05:00

Today Walgreen's had a WONDERFUL special to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation. They were offering photo DVDs for only $1 and donating that to the cure. I put together a DVD of 80 pictures of my foster girl to give to her mother this week. My hope is that it will give her the motivation to get her life on track, if not for herself, but for her little girl.

Lately, I've been struggling with trying to juggle it all! I have responsibilities at my job, at home, at church & even by being part of a local cancer non-profit. I want to be the best mother to my 2 toddlers & don't want to short-change them. Sometimes I feel as if I'm spread too thin & feel insufficient in every aspect of my life.

I found this handy little chart that I'm going to print & start using these verses to turn around those negative thoughts & lift my spirits when I am feeling insufficient. My hope is that God blesses you this week!

HANDY LITTLE CHART - GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER:

YOU SAY	GOD SAYS	BIBLE VERSES
You say: 'It's impossible'	God says: All things are possible	(Luke 18:27)
You say: 'I'm too tired'	God says: I will give you rest	(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: 'Nobody really loves me'	God says: I love you	(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: 'I can't go on'	God says: My grace is sufficient	(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: 'I can't figure things out'	God says: I will direct your steps	(Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: 'I can't do it'	God says: You can do all things	( Phil ippians 4:13)
You say: 'I'm not able'	God says: I am able	(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: 'It's not worth it'	God says: It will be worth it	(Roman 8:28 )
You say: 'I can't forgive my self'	God says: I Forgive you	(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: 'I can't manage'	God says: I will supply all your needs	( Phil ippians 4:19)
You say: 'I'm afraid'	God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear	(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'	God says: Cast all your cares on ME	(I Peter 5:7)
You say: 'I'm not smart enough'	God says: I give you wisdom	(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: 'I feel all alone'	God says: I will never leave you or forsake you	(Hebrews 13:5)

On Being a Christian Working Mom

2009-10-05T17:18:00.000-05:00

24! It's the same for everyone. 24 hours is what each of us have in each day. But to us mothers that work outside the home - it just isn't enough!

At one time I was a stay at home mom (SAHM) & even homeschooled my teenage stepson. Although we struggled financially, our home life was very satisfying. Homeschooling did keep me quite busy, but I could multi-task my home duties at the same time. Dinner was ready when my wonderful husband came home on most days. It was a peaceful homelife.

However, my struggles with infertility & an incredible career opportunity, made me realize that God wanted to change my focus for a while. The move and the new job were exhilarating, but the desire to have a child still left an emptiness.

Eight months later, an 8-month-old foster baby was delivered to us one evening. Dakota's arrival was a blessing that totally overwhelmed my life. It took a solid 6 weeks before I didn't feel incredibly frazzled. It was then that I began to think about leaving a career I enjoyed to stay home again, however, because he was a foster child, we didn't know how long he would be with us. We delayed any decisions until we knew he was ours.

We adopted Dakota on August 12, 2009 - my husband's 50th birthday. Our life with a 2-year-old, although hectic, was managable. However, a week & a half before the adoption, we were brought a 2-year-old foster girl. We only had thought our life was hectic before then!!!

Since then, I struggle each day as I try to get 2 two-year-olds off to daycare, prepare dinner, keep the household together, get everyone (including myself) ready for bed & the next day. All the while, wondering, "Lord, am I a good parent? My time with my children is so short - Am I short-changing them?"

I know that there are other Christian working moms struggling as I do & I plan to use this blog as an outlet to possibly reach other Christian working moms that struggle with the same issues. Hopefully, we can support & encourage one another.

TAKING OUT & GETTING AWAY

2009-10-01T15:10:00.001-05:00

I'll start today's blog with a quote. I love this quote by Jay Leno:

'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

As a country, we've become so intent on taking God out of everything - which right now would be the worst thing to do. We now need God more than ever.

I have been blessed this week reading the devotions of Proverbs 31 Ministries. So down to earth & so relevent! Lysa's blog today was the best!

I haven't had a chance to do much scrapbooking lately - being the working mom of 2 two-year-olds - but was so thrilled that Shutterfly has announced a quicker way to create a photobook with a program called Simple Path. The best thing of all is that the photobooks are on sale for 20% off until October 14th! YEAH!

This weekend, our family is going camping for the first time since spring. We are renting a cabin on the lake (easier to "camp" when you are in a bed). I'm hoping to take advantage of getting away from it all, but with the "dueling toddlers" - we'll just have to see how the relaxation thing will work out.

BELATED ADOPTION NEWS

2009-09-29T20:55:00.006-05:00

I have been SO busy that I am JUST now posting about the most important thing in my life! (Nearly 2 months late!) We finally adopted 2-year-old James Dakota on August 12th!! Isn't he the most handsome boy you've seen???

Our life was CRAZY preparing for our celebration. The week before we were brought a cute 2-year-old little girl named Brook & I only thought life was hectic before that. She is 1 month younger than Dakota & just as competitive for attention. WOW! It has been draining, yet exhilarating too.

I am spending so much time trying to balance attention to both children to make each one feel special & LOVED!! But the sibling rivalry is the worst.

Please pray for our family during this transition. Oh, and please post any advice....

Yes! You CAN get a computer virus from your jump drive!

2009-07-18T14:20:00.033-05:00

I now have the "autorun.inf" virus on all 3 of our computers that was spread via a jump drive. I'm still trying to ensure that it has been completely disabled. I've done some research & here are some of the best tips in making sure a virus doesn't get from your jump drive into your computer.

#1 - DISABLE THE AUTOPLAY FUNCTION ON YOUR COMPUTER!
I learned how to do this on Windows Vista through the "Autoplay" button in your computer's Control Panel by reading an article written by the How To Geek found here!

Here's an excerpt:

Disable for just Removable (flash) Drives

The problem here is that while there are settings for Audio CDs and DVDs, there’s nothing specifically for USB flash drives. Windows will determine the drive type based on the content it finds on the flash drive itself, so that’s what we’ll need to change.

In order to disable AutoPlay for the removable drives, you should change all of the following to Take no action: Software and games, Pictures, Video files, Audio files, and Mixed content.

#2 - DON'T OPEN FILES BY DOUBLE CLICKING!!
This virus infects when you double-click the drive to open it.
Instead, use the "Explore" button by right-clicking the start button at the bottom left of your screen. When you find your drive, right-click on it, then press "Open".

#3 - PREVENT YOUR JUMP DRIVE FROM BEING INFECTED!
This is a pretty handy trick, I read here.

Here’s the nifty part, this is based on a hack from a friend who works on an anti-virus company.

Create a folder on the root of your portable drive.
Rename it as autorun.inf.
Right-click on the folder, and click Properties. Alternatively, select the folder, then go to the File menu, and select Properties. KB shortcut: [Alt]+F, R
Under the General tab, on the Attributes section, check Read-only and Hidden. KB shortcuts: [Alt]+R, and [Alt]+H, respectively

The above instructions would prevent other infected computers from copying an autorun directive to your portable drive. It doesn’t necessarily mean an instance of the malware itself would be prevented from being copied as well. It just protects you from your own muscle memory of instantly double-clicking the drive icon to open the contents, but instead, running the malware to be installed on your clean PC.

I hope that my mis-fortune will prevent you from experiencing this! Please forward this post to your friends! Good luck to you!

ON TO DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING....

This week the Scrapmatters.com store is having a Christmas in July sale!

This sale is good on both Christmas AND Winter kits!
Here's a Christmas mini-kit by Scrapmuss Designs found here!
Hurry this sale ends Tuesday!

Adoption News

2009-07-15T22:32:00.006-05:00

Howdy!
Dakota's adoption will be final on August 12th - less than a month! I'm still trying to figure out what to do so that I can finalize plans to send out invitations. This week is totally crazy & I'm so ready for the weekend! Tomorrow night, we'll be attending an adoption match party where we will be meeting area adoption workers to hopefully match us up with children that are up for adoption. My digital scrapbooking hobby has allowed me to put together THIS.

We'll be giving this to adoption workers to help them remember our family when they find a child needing a family. It is at times as this that my husband really appreciates this hobby. Wish us luck!

Just another Manic Monday

2009-07-13T13:24:00.007-05:00

Beginning a really busy week, both at work & at home.

This is coming off a worrisome weekend with my 2-year-old foster boy, Dakota. He has had so many breathing problems (2 hospitalizations for pneumonia). With the way he was gasping Saturday night, we began steroid medication. He woke up Sunday morning with 101 fever & we really thought "here we go again", but his fever broke by noon & he has been feeling great since. THANKFUL for answered prayers!

This week is really crazy!

Tonight is the final meeting with Dakota's adoption worker before his adoption on August 12th!

Wednesday we are stimulating the economy by installing new flooring in our living room -> Goodbye to our income tax refund!

Thursday we are off to an adoption fair & then to an evening at a waterpark with our new church family

Sunday Jonathan, my stepson, leaves for a weeklong camp & getting him ready will take a few days!

One thing that helps with crazy weeks like this is to have meals planned ahead of time. I learned this tip from The New Messies Manual: The Procrastinator's Guide to Good Housekeeping by Sandra Felton.

Please comment if you have any tips to keep Mondays (& the rest of the week) from being manic

Freedom through God's Grace

2009-07-12T10:12:00.001-05:00

During this time of celebrating our freedom, I have been evaluating the freedom I have as a Christian. Sometimes as Christians, we get caught up in everything we can't do, instead of looking at how we are free through Christ.

Galatians 5:1 states, "Freedom is what we have - Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again." (Good News Bible)

This freedom the apostle Paul talks about is not a freedom that we had to fight for. Jesus Christ gave us this freedom when he died on the cross 2,000 years ago. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are pardoned from sin & not a slave to it any longer!

Printing at simplyscrapping.com

2009-07-11T20:49:00.002-05:00

I just received my print order from http://www.scrappingsimply.com/ today! What a great resource! The prints are fabulous yet inexpensive. Everyday printing for 12X12 layouts is only $1.99 per page!

I downloaded 21 layout pages (12X12) ~ {downloading took a while} on their website on June 30th. They had a 20% sale so I got my prints for only $1.60! My entire order was only $38.43 for 21 prints!!!

Shipping I thought was quick considering such a great sale before a holiday week ~ they had noted that the processing would take a little longer than usual because of this. The prints are packaged wonderfully in a plastic sleeve & shipped in a cardboard container. Scrapping Simply only charges $5 flat fee for shipping & it cost them over $7 to ship this order.

Also, if your order is over $50, use the coupon code "meredith" to receive free shipping!

I would highly recommending using this company to print your LOs!

Allergies, Sore Throats & Viruses

2009-07-10T03:42:00.000-05:00

I've been suffering through yet ANOTHER bout of allergies this week. I've lost count this year on how many times I've been going through this. Is it grass I'm allergic to now? Then I'm in big trouble! The coughing & sore throat are so annoying!

But the worst part is that my portable hard drive & now laptop have a virus. It's so annoying & worrisome.

3 lessons I've learned from this:

Always disconnect portable drives using the safely remove hardware button
Don't have them connected to your computer as it's booting up or restarting
Don't procrastinate backing up your data!!!

Of course, #3 is the most important. Hopefully, I won't lose all my digital pictures from this entire decade because of my procrastination...

Here's my first post!

2009-07-07T08:30:00.001-05:00

I'm hoping to figure this site out so that I can post pictures, links and general comments about what's going on in our life.

My wonderful husband & I have been married nearly 5 years. We have a beautiful foster child that will become part of our family forever on August 12th!

My favorite hobby is digital scrapbooking & I enjoy putting together pages that document my wonderful life with my family. Check out my gallery here. I have the honor of creating scrapbook pages for Scrapmuss Designs. She lives in Russia so it has been a great experience for me to chat with her online. She has a new kit coming out soon that is her best yet!