Snowman Tree

My large tree is only for family ornaments, and since each year the kids get a new personal ornament, plus a picture ornament and maybe some small ones, it is quite full. I still miss the theme trees my mom and I did together when I was older, so I have smaller trees that I do that way. This year our smallest tree is a snowman. T has watched Frosty a few too many times, because he keeps telling me it is going to start walking and give him a hug. Love that innocence!

Foster teens

   We went into foster care with the intent of taking 4-8 year olds. We already had one teenager and John at the time was working with teens in a case manager capacity, so he would have his fill that way (and he was GREAT at what he did, as I have since had many teens tell me when they have seen us out, let alone what I know he did.) We figured since we could have biological children it didn't seem fair to "request" babies and toddlers. We have had 9 kids in our home, some for only a few days or weeks, some for years, but only one has hit our age group, at 4 years old. I have had 3 teens, the rest 3 months and up. When I speak at classes for prospective foster parents, I tell them God had other plans for us, and he does know better than we do.
   What I have seen has warmed my heart! I have seen teens not just survive their circumstances, but persevere! I have seen social workers go out of their way to be there 24/7 for the kids. I try my best to do it all, but I can't, and it is wonderful to know I have other adults who have my back, and ultimately the "kids" as well. I have seen my kids break the odds. Only 50% of foster teens graduate high school! I cried when I sat between 2 workers in June for graduation of 2 of our kids!
   Kids, no matter the age, do not enter care by ANY fault of their own, EVER! Teens are going to be teens, yes, they will try you. But who of us did not do the same to our parents? They are teens afterall. I only wish I could capture an evening at my house to show you how great they are! I don't wish for anyone to feel sorry for them, I wish that so people would want to step up and help them out! Be a mentor, donate, anything!
   There is a huge out-pouring for Hurricane Sandy victims, which don't get me wrong, I think it is wonderful, but every day there is a need going on that isn't televised, that you just won't see, a need for human contact, a need to help get set up in their own home, support in school, finding a job, etc.
   I recently read that 60% of the population has thought about adoption. Those numbers would account for every waiting child in our country. I have also read that 6 in 10 people are touched by adoption. So odds are, you may already be thinking about it, odds are you may already know someone who would know where to point you to help.
   November is National Adoption Month. I know Foster Care has it's own month in May, but I think with the ultimate goal of finding children a forever family, foster kids deserve notice this month as well!
  

The boys for Halloween

J decided he wanted to be Ghost Rider for Halloween, which of course we couldn't just go out and buy the costume! Thankfully he already had the motorcycle jacket. We improvised on the flaming skull after I saw a post on Pinterest, unfortunately it didn't turn out as awesome, but quite a few people were impressed and gave him extra candy for creativity.

I had hoped to get T to be a vampire. Last year he was a skeleton, the year before that a little devil. Yes, I like to stick to themes when I can choose, J's first 3 Halloweens he was animals. But this was the year of him starting to choose his own, and he picked a sock monkey, which really went over we'll with people out and about, they loved it!

I cannot post pics of little miss, but she chose an orange and yellow butterfly and was just too darn adorable! And she knew it, which she should!

I can't wait to scrap their individual pages for their albums, and of course do my own page of them all!

Last weekend

We did make it to Arundel Mills last weekend for the kids to have their Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown pics done. J got to hit the Lego Store, and T & Molly picked the Disney Store. It was great spending the time with John and doing fun things with the kids! Now this weekend's plans of hitting a farm for fall festivities is kaput with Hurricane Sandy, but we can still gut and carve our pumpkins. Least we got to do something fall related!

Family Coat of Arms - Crest

Showcasing the family Coat of Arms was a fad over a decade ago. I'm sure there was a kiosk in every mall around the holidays selling these. It always bugged me that my maiden name didn't have one that could be found. Sheesh, look up may last name and everyone listed is at the furthest relation a 3rd cousin. Literally, anyone with the name is a close relative, it is that rare. My sister-in-law posted her family's coat of arms, so I decided to look up my "new" name (as new as a decade can be.) It was confusing at first, because there seemed to be many to choose from. Then I started looking into each a little more closely, and I took out the ones that weren't directly related to Spain, and the ones left over were very similar. They all seem to have the same basis, maybe just more modern of with a little more flourish. So, I will discuss with hubby as to which is his favorite (as if he really cares) and I will have to frame the "best." Here is a sampling of what I found. I'm partial to the last one on the right.

T is 3!

I can't believe that T is 3 today! Time has flown, and it is bittersweet! Each age is so special, and there are blessings in each moment you get to spend with your kids, but while looking forward to the next year, you still mourn the ones that have already passed. I will never be able to express the love I have for this child! He is so articulate, I know, most would say 2nd child syndrome, he only picks it up from the older kids, but mommy prefers to believe he is exceptionally smart. He is a little smart-aleck though, that's a given for this house, same with a temper, but I still say it means he will stand for his beliefs as he gets older, he won't be a push-over and hopefully a leader instead of a follower. T is a bundle of energy, and stubborn as the day is long. Guess that is a given for our family as well. He loves giving hugs and kisses, and the amount of  times he says "I Love You" during the day is wonderful! So many comment on the mischief in his smiles, and like any other aspect of his personality, it definitely shines through. He is so expressive, he will probably never be a great poker player. Like J did, he loves The Wiggles, but he also loves Mickey Mouse, and won't let us forget that we told him he will meet him next year. Unlike his older brothers, he loves playing cars and is enamored with animal and dinosaur figures, even stuffed animals. No matter what, he is a completely unique person in his own right and we are blessed to share his life with him!

Color your own plates

This is another Pinterest find, something I figured the kids would enjoy doing. All it takes is plates from the Dollar Tree and a pack of colorful Sharpies. So for 3 plates it cost about $12, and I still have all the pens to use in the future. The kids colored to their own abandon. J's bottom right is of characters from Mortal Kombat, T's on the bottom left is fireworks, and Molly's at the top is her name (and if you look to the top right of her name, it does look like a good hearted attempt, even if it is up-side down.) The directions were simply to bake in the over for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. I did put it in the over while heating, and I left them in the oven to cool down. I was thinking they might be more likely to break with sudden changes in temp (that would be my luck) but also afterwards it kept anxious and excited little hands from touching them while still hot. I think we will do some mugs for Christmas presents and "stuff" with special tea of coffee!

Blur Photo Backgrounds

I have photo software to manually do this, but it requires "cutting" with my mouse. Not an easy feat with little ones in my lap, looking over my shoulder to see what I am doing, swinging the computer armoire doors, or playing with the rolling keyboard stand. Instagram is great, if I am on my ipod, and if I don't mind having lower resolution. So, I started searching and found tiltshiftmaker.com - LOVE! The first picture is the edited copy, also with colors enhanced, the second photo is the original. You can create an account to save and share your pictures together, or just create them to download individually. So, maybe getting that fancier camera can hold off for awhile ;)

A year of ours

Yesterday was the year anniversary of T becoming our son in every sense of the word. I can never explain the wave of love that overcomes me when I look at him! Love our littlest guy, I can't imagine my life without him! I remember telling a former coworker not long before he was placed with us that I knew my child was out there waiting for me. I couldn't have asked for more (especially since I got 2 great sons in a matter of months!)We are so blessed to have him in our lives, and I still will never forget all those that had a hand in helping to make our family. I hope social workers understand just how special their jobs are to all the families they help, be it reunification, kinship, foster care or adoption.

Bass Pro Shop - Charlie Brown Halloween

October 19, 2012 - October 31, 2012
Great Pumpkin Halloween Event

Join us at Bass Pro Shops Arundel Mills for the "It's The Great Pumpkin" Halloween Event for fun family activities and crafts.
Photos with PEANUTS GANG - 5-8 pm weekdays & 12-5 pm weekends.

 

We did this last year - http://katscredence.blogspot.com/2011/10/charlie-brown.html - and the kids are already asking to go again!

Support your local artisans

A friend started a Facebook group a year ago for fellow artists/crafters in our area, and with the holidays coming up it bears to remember to spend local! Many artists/crafters are stay-at-home moms (like myself) or retirees, doing what they love, not for much of a profit. Keep your money local, and give a one-of-a-kind gift!


Our local group:


 https://www.facebook.com/groups/326177430759257/



My own contribution:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.443931002317232&type=1

Doll Hair Detangler - Fabric Softener

When Little Miss came to us Dora followed with her entourage. Poor Dora was a mess of trouble. I pinned a post months ago about using fabric softener on a doll's hair, and finally got around to trying it. Dora's hair didn't turn out quite as well as the blogger's, but considering the original state (I also think it had been braided or crimped) it is a vast improvement! I still put Dora's hair in a ponytail due to the new state of her hair, and maybe it will keep it nicer a little longer, but still giving Little Miss some hair to brush.
I'm so glad to know this now, before Santa brings Little Miss an AG knock-off! Now, going to get started on Jasmine's hair before it gets to this point!

DIY Inspiration:
http://cookieandclaire.blogspot.com/2011/11/rapunzel-rapunzel-let-down-yourgirl.html?m=1

My muted "statement" necklace

I have started making Christmas presents to augment store-bought gifts, or just to give to someone I normally wouldn't get a present for as a pleasant surprise. I love the statement necklaces that are the current trend, but they really aren't me since I normally have other accessories. I'm a sucker for scarves, hats, and hair flowers, so it would be easy for me to go overboard (John has been known to tell me something is too much.) So, I did these slightly less bold bead necklaces. I'm tickled with them (otherwise I wouldn't post them) and I can only hope their future recipients love them too!

Princess Shadows - Finished

I couldn't find a photo collage frame that would hold 8 pictures in all portrait format, and I didn't want to buy separate frames, I wanted them all together, just my opinion but it has greater impact. I happened to have a skinny poster frame, I spray painted the cardboard backing black, and voila, already hanging in Little Miss' room!

Cricut monograms

I did a couple of these as gifts earlier in the year and for last Christmas, and I finally found some cute contact paper at The Dollar Tree that I liked for myself. The Cricut cuts the letters, then just peel off and stick to the glass of a picture frame (which I of course spray painted) and then hot glue the glass to the frame. Even though my walls are white, the shadows created by the "stickers" give it depth, so it is ok that there was so much white in my contact paper. Also, Wal-Mart carries clear plastic easels, so you can do without a frame, or use the frame still, and set on a table or shelf.
And yes, I know I do a lot with our last name. It's ok if others find it redundant, I happen to like it ;)