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Monday, August 31, 2009

Best Aunt Ever

Guess what I got to do today. Miss Keagan was all mine:


Riley was at the hospital getting tubes put in her ears. That is no small thing when you're a baby with a serious heart condition. Add in many prayers and a good amount of worry, and all went well. But while my sister was away, I played favorite aunt. Short of giving this girl mac and cheese, all rules were broken. Keagan had the best day ever. I'm sure she wrote about me in her journal tonight.


My sister has all these crazy rules, like making sure the girls eat a fruit or vegetable with their rice cereal and taking a nap at specific times during the day. As best aunt ever, that is totally not my problem. Keagan ate whatever and whenever. She was thrilled. I thought about buying her a happy meal, but decided the root beer might be a little much.

This baby has discovered the stairs. Her mom is quite distraught over this fact and does her best to keep her away from them. Again, not my problem.

After her nap I decided we needed some good TV. I pulled this highchair right up to the screen and laid out a buffet of crackers. Keagan watched Clifford and I read a magazine. Every now and then she would look over at me, and I'd give her a drink of water. We got into quite a rhythm. A perfect 30 minutes.
I already have plans for the next time my sister is away, I've decided to feed the girls chocolate chip pancakes covered with syrup. But don't tell her, it's a secret. Best Aunt award is comin' my way.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Thank You With A Curtsy

I'm a guest blogger! The ladies at Light Refreshments Served have posted an article I wrote a few months ago. I'm ever so honored.

Check it out here.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

A Side Dish

This little nugget of goodness came to me while I was in the baking isle. Make them and love them.

Mini ready made graham crusts. They come in a six pack, I bought 2.
In your mixer, cream together one regular size cream cheese and a large jar of marshmallow fluff. Try not to lick the beaters clean. Place the creamy heaven in a large ziploc bag.

Snip the corner of the bag and let Addie squeeze out the marshmallow clouds into each shell, all while she repeats, "it sounds like the bag farted".

Top with sliced strawberries. Eat 6 and let your family share the rest.
I know in some homes, this may be considered a dessert. Not here. Anything that contains fruit is a side dish. Apple pie? Side dish. Peach cobbler? Side dish as well. So go ahead and make these mini cups of yumminess. Just make sure you devour them along with your meal. After all, it's fruit. It's good for you.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Grades 1, 5 and 7

A new school year. That means 2 things: we all survived another summer, and this is one of those days when I feel like time is speeding by too quickly. They're older. It seems to happen so fast sometimes.

Last night I prayed for divine protection during this school year. For them, for me and especially for their teachers. They're gonna need it.







Todd's parting words to me as he left for work today, "Don't get too bored." Oh, how I'm going to try.....

Saturday, August 22, 2009

My Heart

Two years ago today.
At 9:45 AM.

My heart stopped.

It started again.
This time with a different beat.
Slower.

Never the same.


Friday, August 21, 2009

Bits Of Randomness

1. I was laying in bed last night thinking about some turmoil in my life, when my thoughts drifted to the reality that the first day of school is in 3 days. I thought about them all getting on the bus and how silent my house will be. And then the weirdest thing ever, ever, ever happened. I got a pit in my stomach. I got sad. It lasted for about 5.4 seconds. Crazy. Can you believe that I, me, Lisa, got sad that they're going away to school? I think I might have a fever. That's the only explanation I can come up with.

2. I have been thinking a lot about friendship lately. What it means and how its defined. I've come to see the value of the friends that were a part of my life while I lived in Utah. They're still a part of me, the distance is just farther. I've realized what true, soul supporting friendship can do and how it leaves an imprint on who I am. You know who you are, and I love you for being my friend.

3. Ever wonder what the Foster's would look like as a rock family:

Addie painted them. I never knew we were such a tan family. See that yellow rock? That's our imaginary dog, Olivia. I wonder why she's yellow instead of brown? She must not eat as much chocolate as the rest of us.

4. True to my word, I tried to do the splits. Honest. I think I hurt myself. In hindsight I realize that I forgot to wear my leg warmers. I'm pretty sure that was my problem. At least no one was watching.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

My Love Knows No Bounds

OK. Gimme a second. My head is spinning due to my hyperventilating...I'm trying to gain control of my senses. Really...

Guinness World Record-breaking CUPCAKE! Weighing in at 1,224 pounds! Oh my gosh, there it is again. The hyperventilating. Breathe in, breathe out. Over a thousand pounds of cupcake! Could there possible be anything more phenomenal? I think not.

I wish it was for sale. I would take out a second mortgage to buy it. Seriously. I would put it in my family room just so I could be close to it. I might even make a little bed and sleep next to it at night. If anyone out there is looking for a Christmas present for me, look no further.


Merengue Bakery and Cafe chef Jacquelyne Garcia, owner George Algarin and chef Christina Gonzalez at the annual Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak, Mich. on Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/The Detroit News, Brandy Baker).


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I've Got Friends With Skills

I've realized recently that I have some serious talented friends. It's ever so inspiring. For example, one friend knows how to make her own laundry soap and hot chocolate mix. She is also one of those people who can whip up an amazing meal out of the 3 things left in your pantry. She has crazy talent. I have another friend who knows the price of most all the items at each grocery store. She knows what is on sale each week and where to shop to save the most money. She can budget her grocery list down to a few dollars. Ever so impressive, this is a talent I long for.

I even have a friend who can do this:

I know it's hard to appreciate when you can't see close up, but these nails are salon hum-dingers! She told all the girls that she was going to paint their nails today. I thought they would come home with a nice solid color or two. Ah...no. Tiny flowers, tiny leaves, all made with tiny brushes and then topped with a clear coat. Upon further questioning, my friend revealed that she used to own a nail salon. Oh, and she also used to be a DJ. Excuse me? How way cool are your talents!?

I've tried to make a list in my head of all my talents that my friends might be jealous of. So far, I've come up with....um....nada. I just know that any minute now, somethin's going to come to me. At this moment, I am looking up to heaven in hopes that I might come up with just one.

I used to deliver newspapers with my brothers. Does that count? I can fold a stack of papers pretty fast, drive 50 mph around a corner and throw a newspaper out the window and watch it slice down a driveway. I haven't yet decided if that's a valuable talent. I think I'll ponder that one for a while before I unveil my great skill to my friends.

At one point in my life, I could do the splits. Really awesome splits, mind you. Maybe I'll give it a whirl tonight just to see if this talent is a little rusty. I might even put on an old leotard and leg warmers just for effect.

I can eat an insane amount of cookies at one sitting. No exaggeration. Insane amount, I kid you not. I wish someone would hold a national contest. Hands down, I would win, no practice needed. This is most definitely a talent. A pretty good one if you ask me.

I think I'm going to keep a running tally of all my super awesome skills. You know, just in case I need to impress someone. I think my mascara application is going to be near the top. Either that or my ability to speak in a quiet, reverent voice to my children. I got some serious talent. Watch out. I'm off to do the splits....

Sunday, August 16, 2009

How I Avoid My Regular Life

Ever feel like you are continuously doing the same things over and over? Some days I feel like I just might jump out the window if I have to bend over and pick up one. more. thing. If you're a mom, you know what I'm sayin'.

To break up my regular life madness, I work on projects. I created these wood blocks for the playroom wall. I bought pre-cut wood from Hobby Lobby and painted them. I printed my letters on scrapbook paper and then modge podged them together.
Years ago Addie started saying, 'love you lots so many'. She would say it so fast that it all kind of mushed together into one word. It sounded more like 'loveyoulotssomany'. Now we all say it. Mostly Addie, but we all blurt it out here and there. Again, I bought the wood at Hobby Lobby, painted it with leftover paint from another project, antiqued the edges and then used my stamps I found on clearance. I'm lovin' it so lots and so many.
I'm not quite sure what I'll tackle next. I've got a few project ideas running through my head, I just need it to be quiet around here long enough for me to pull them together. According to my calculations, that should happen in exactly 1 week. When school and heaven begin.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

So, Sew

More sewing with Nana. Makell and Addie finished their blankets yesterday. It's like entering a sweat shop when you walk into the sewing room. Maybe I should check the child labor laws. Actually, Nana is probably doing most of the sweating while she does most of the labor. Maybe there are overworked Nana laws.



These blankets turned out so cute that I told my mom she should start a sewing camp. I even offered to make the flyers and hand them out. She gave me 'the' look. It kinda scared me, so I don't think I'll bring it up again.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Pitiful

It started yesterday. My pitiful, 'I am definitely a loser' feeling. It saturated my entire day. Everywhere I turned and everything I did seemed to cement my pity party. Nothing monumental happened to make me feel crappy about myself, just bazillions of little things piled together. You know what I mean? I know you do.

I knew it was bad when I realized last night that even if I had a large cupcake with double decker frosting, I still wouldn't feel better. A sure sign that my life is pitiful. Ridiculous pity.

When I opened my eyes this morning, it was still there. All of it. And guess what, the pity grew bigger today. The air conditioning in my car stopped working. In Texas. In August! Cute car man called to tell me that the minimum repair will be $850. It will probably be more in the $1,500 range. Feel the pity.

Now I have to go and be a pitiful parent to kids who have pitiful behaviors all while thinking about the pitiful things I haven't done right lately. Sounds fun, doesn't it. Wanna join me? I'm serving pitiful cupcakes.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Not Even My Kids Have Tried It

Tell me a kid story, and I can top it. Not a nice, sweet story. A horror story. No matter how bad you think your child has acted, Foster stories will still surprise (or shock) you. Need a story about time out? Just ask about the time Makell chewed off the paint and sheet rock from the wall while sitting in the corner. Need a story that will make you speechless? Just ask about the time Makell smeared Desitin and baby powder all over the floor. Or even the time she threw EVERYTHING in her bedroom out her second-story window. Need a story about embarrassment? Just ask about the time that Makell told a nice african american man that he was the same color as a fudgesicle.

A couple of years ago I was dropping off one of my kids at a birthday party. The birthday girl's dad motioned for me to come over and meet his mom. He then asked me, "Tell her one of your stories, because you always have unbelievable stories." As a note, this dad had the kind of children we all covet. Well mannered, polite, calm, quiet children. Just the opposite of all things Foster. So, I just looked at him and said, "Well, I guess I could tell you some of the crap that has happened today. Would that work?" He then got a gleam in his eye, he folded his arms and said, "We're ready". It was at that moment that I realized that my everyday life just might not be like an everyday life for normal people.

With all this being said, it takes a lot to shock and surprise me. I'm a bit jaded. But this week, I was stunned when Todd sent me this news article:

PLAIN CITY, Utah – Police in Utah say a 7-year-old boy led officers on a car chase in an effort to avoid going to church.

Dispatchers received reports of a child driving recklessly on Sunday morning. Weber County Sheriff's Capt. Klint Anderson says one witness said the boy drove through a stop sign.

Anderson says two deputies caught up with the boy and tried unsuccessfully to stop the Dodge Intrepid in an area about 45 miles north of Salt Lake City. The car reached 40 mph before the boy stopped in a driveway and ran inside a home.

Anderson says when the boy's father later confronted him, the boy said he didn't want to go to church. The boy is too young to prosecute and no citations were issued, although police did urge the father to make his car keys more inaccessible to children. (Yahoo! News. Wednesday, July 29)

He. Drove. 40. Miles. An. Hour!! And he is 7!! I have to wonder, is this boy one of my kids and I just don't know it? Or maybe, just maybe, there is a child out there who has finally pushed my kids out of the limelight.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Sew Special

My mom sews. Talented little lady, that Nana. When I was growing up she would sew things for me to wear. She "claims" I was too picky, stubborn and vocal about what she made for me, so she stopped. Good thing I'm no longer like that. How annoying would that be? Sheesh.

My mom has moved on to a new generation with better hope. She sat with Sam for an entire day and taught her how to make a blanket. She sewed stitches and memories all in one.





Saturday, August 1, 2009

Sister's Day

Years ago we created our own holiday and picked the date to celebrate it. Every August 1st, we celebrate sisters. We spend the day together, without friends. I'm hoping that when these 3 reach adulthood, they will realize just how fortunate they are to have one another.


This year the girls decided to have lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and then paint pottery. We even threw in a wee bit of school shopping at the mall.

Sisters are something to be cherished. So we just created a day that makes us pause to savor that fact. But now that I think about it, cupcakes are something to cherish as well. Maybe I need to create a holiday for that too. Oh wait, I already have. Every other Wednesday.