Craft ideas

crochet patterns-Really cute Crocheted hat patters for sale in her Etsey store

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7075162

Car Seat Canopy Instructions- I'm working on this one today. Look for pictures!

http://while-they-sleep.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-good-friend-beth.html

Leg Warmers-As soon as I can make it to the store I'm making these with women's socks. I know some of you have already done this. I LOVE these girls in dresses and these puppies will make dresses possible more often.

http://everythingyourmamamade.com/2008/01/21/make-your-own-baby-leg-warmers/

Fabric Shoes- You kiddidng? I can't afford shoes for twins at $5.00 a pair. I'm hoping I make it around to these shoes before they go home.

http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/blog/cloth_shoe.pdf

Scarf -Love Love Love this scaf

http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/2010/01/t-shirt-ruffle-scarf-tutorial.html

I've been dying to make a drum shade for my bedroom. Here are some sites that will help me on my way.

http://lakeslampshades.com/blog/2009/02/everything-drum-shades.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/Barrel_Drum_Lamp_Shade/

http://www.lampshop.com/

Love these little face plates! Can't wait to do that!

Have you seen this? I can't wait to have a child to decorate for! Love the fabric on the walls!

Adore this alternative to wallpaper

craft: Picture Schedule

Alright. I figure it's time for some pictures. We are super busy with appointments. I mean crazy busy. SOooo, to give the kids a sence of control I wanted to do a picture schedule. I have done this with other kids using these black boards, but these kids are so scheduled I didn't want to be erasing it all the time. This is what I came up with.

I started with an Ikea magnet board and sanded it.

Using some spray paint I made it match my house.


Next came the hard part. Using clipart, I found images to match our life style. Things like Potty, wash hands, doctor, car seats, sleep, you get the idea.
I printed them on card stock, then protected the card stock with clear contact paper.


Next came the easiest part! 2 sided tape holds the magnents to the back of my cards. You can buy the rolls of magnets with tape already on them if you like but I wanted a stronger magnet.


Ikea also has littl magnetic boxes for like $3. They are perfect to hold all my cards in. Everything I need is in one easy place. Love It!

If you decided to do this project I'd love to know what some of you images are. I'm always in the market for new ideas!

foster: Questions Answered

I received an email from a good friend requesting more details regarding our new situation. I realized many of you may have the same questions. (Or maybe I just flatter myself.) So, Megan, I hope you don’t mind if I respond publicly to your email.

1. Did you have notice that G and Lil G would be going home or did it happen suddenly? Yes and No. The caseworker gave me a heads up about 2 weeks prior to the court date. DCFS can make recommendations but the Judge is the one who makes decisions. Once the Judge gave us the proverbial “green light” we had 1 weekend (Saturday, Sunday) to pack up and say goodbye. The transition from our home to their home was nightmarish but we survived.

2. How are you feeling?
Mostly sad about the G’s. I found one of Lil G’s socks between the washer and dryer. I cried. School started yesterday. I thought of G. I cried. But over all I’m really REALLY busy.

3. How quick was the transition?
Quick. I got a call mid morning Tuesday. (The Gs went home early Monday) I almost said NO. I had so many projects I was really excited about and I knew these kids would need extra effort. But, the more I talked to the caseworker the better I felt. I met them around lunch time on Wednesday and they were dropped off 2 hours later.

4. How has this experience been different so far?
This is a good question for a private conversation. I will say it has been different in almost every way, except diapers. Both kids fit into Lil G’s diapers.

5. How has this experience changed your life? ( I took this to mean Foster Care on a whole)
Oh boy. There’s the normal parent stuff. No more eating on the couch. No privacy, even showers are interrupted. It’s now normal for me to stand up after Sacrament Meeting and make sure no Cheerios are sticking to my backside.

Today I cleaned poop off the toilet, bathroom floor and out of the bathtub, as my first attempt to potty train 2 children simultaneously ended with, me throwing up (several times), and Alyssa coming to my rescue.

But also my love for my husband has increased. My trust in my Heavenly Father tried and strengthened. My capacity for Love, Kindness, PATIENCE, and Understanding has been enlarged. Things I thought I could never do I have done. Most of the time I come off conqueror, sometimes I come off conquered (refer to earlier poop incident). I must say I am SOOO lucky to be surrounded by so many resources and AMAZING people.

Update: most people wonder if we'll be able to stay in contact with the 2 Gs. The answer is- Maybe. it's up to Mom but we remain hopeful!

foster: Post

I loved this post from Another Small Adventure. I just thought this was so beautiful I had to share it.

"Many times I hear people say how they can't do foster care because they can't bear to let go. Letting go is hard....but the Lord is there to help you through it. You are not left empty or alone.....you are filled with the knowledge that what you did was good and the Lord is happy with your service to HIS child. He will not let you suffer...He will bless you with a greater capacity to understand and to love. No loss goes unnoticed or uncounted.
There will come a day when you will reap the benefits of being counted among those who would love a child of God.

I share these things with you out of love....love truly makes little things grow. My heart has grown through little things...little tiny people who needed someone....little moments that are only known between me, a special child and God...moments when I was mothering someone who really needed a mother. And then there are those little moments when the Lord has whispered to me that He is pleased with me and that I am loved. In those little moments my heart changed and will never be the same!
The great thing about this is that these little moments don't just happen to me...they can happen to you too.
Are you ready?"~ ANOTHER SMALL ADVENTURE

Do You Have New Cheese?

Have you read this book? LOVE it! Quick read of about 1 hour and, it is a great book for work, family, social, well just about anything!

With a new family situation we are constantly refering to our "New Cheese" and in some cases still looking for it!

Did you know?

Did you know Toothpaste can get permanent marker out? Even out of the floor or TV? Yep, we now know that.

foster

On hard days like today it's nice to remember this conversation with G.

E: Did you have a good visit with the caseworker?
G: Yes, she asked some hard questions.
E: She did?
G: Yeah, she asked what my favorite part about your house was.
E: oh yeah?
G: Yeah, I told her "I don't know"
E: Hmmm what about crafts? you like crafts. Or friends?
G: No, I know, my favorite part is YOU!

I miss those 2 little Gs.

foster: Shout Out

I just wanted to give a shout out to Megan, Traci and Rachael for all their help. You probably don't think you have done a lot but these children came to us with very little. I was able to go to my basement and pick out 4 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, a set of PJ's and a blanket for each child. That, supplemented with what I was able to get before they came, makes a full week of clothes! Thank you for your donations! You 3 are AMAZING!

foster: Here We Go Again

I had some time to prepare myself for this one. I did a LOT of research and met the kids today. I did a LOT of shopping in advance so no late night scramble to Walmart. They'll be here in 30 minutes and I'm so excited!

foster: New Kids

We got a call today... After talking to our Resource Family Consultant (RFC) and the case worker we decided to take on a new challenge. And this will be a challenge. Two children a boy almost 4 and girl almost 3. One of the children has some special needs. We're hoping to meet them tomorrow. We'll see!