• On any given day, more than 420,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system.
• More than 114,000 children in the U.S. are waiting to be adopted - just waiting for the right family to find them.
• More children in foster care wait for adoption each year than are adopted.
• In 2009, almost 70,000 children had parental rights terminated by the courts, yet:
Only 57,466 were adopted from the foster care system;
A child waiting to be adopted has been in foster care an average of 38 months;
A child in foster care can wait five years or more to be adopted.
• The average age of the children waiting to be adopted from foster care is almost 8 years old. Many are older, in sibling groups, are minority children and/or have special needs.
• Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people “age out” of the U.S. foster care system at age 18 without an adoptive family – of those:
2% earn a bachelor’s degree or higher
51% are unemployed
25% have been homeless at some point
30% receive public assistance
• In a recent survey of public opinion, 45% of those surveyed believed children were in foster care because of juvenile delinquency when the reality is that these kids have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
Quick Facts taken from a Focus on the Family publication
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
May is National Foster Care Month!
A few months back there was an ad campaign on Facebook to change your profile photo to raise awareness for child abuse. I have to admit, it annoyed me. And I said so. And it upset people.
I did feel bad, I didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. The truth is though, I can't help the passion I have in my heart for these abused children. It's a passion given to me by God, so even if I could erase it I wouldn't. I can't imagine living my life without passion for these children. To me a life without passion is meaningless. This is why those words (or photos) with no action upset me.
May is National Foster Care month. Instead of changing our profile photos I want to encourage everyone to step out and take action for the hurting children all across America. There are so many excuses I've heard from people as to why they don't help. I'd like to answer a few of these excuses with my point of view. It's fine if you disagree, I don't expect everyone to think exactly the way I do. I'm God's unique creation and so are you, we're not going to see eye to eye on all subjects. I just hope to open your heart a little.
Excuse #1 - I just can't become a foster parent.
Answer - You don't have to be!! There are SO many other ways to help children in need! Not everyone has the call of foster parenting on their life. It's ok. I'm not called to the inner city shelters to love on less fortunate adults! I don't spend my days there pouring into them, as so many people do. I do donate and I have volunteered, but it's not the passion God has placed in my heart! Stay tuned during May, I will give ideas of how you can help children in care without actually becoming a foster parent in a series - 31 Days - 31 Ways: Supporting our Foster Care System.
Excuse #2 - I just couldn't give the kids back
Answer - I put this separate from the answer above because this answer isn't "It's not what God's leading me to", it's "I won't do it of my own strength". Honestly, I agree. I couldn't give the kids back with my own strength either. But I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. I won't sugar coat it. It's hard and I cry a lot. My heart breaks... which just feels like an understatement. But the loving arms of Christ pick me back up. He puts a balm on my heart and helps me to keep going. He reminds me of the joy in my work, which is... indescribable. If the only thing that is holding you back is that you can't give the kids back... well then I encourage you think about it some more. If you have faith in God, know He will see you through this if it's what you're called to do. (Please don't read into this that I think everyone should be foster parents, I know it is a calling. I'm just encouraging those who feel they may be called but put up blocks.)
Excuse #3 - I don't agree with the system, it's broken.
Answer - Yup, it is broken. I know that, you know that, they know that. I heard a social worker put it this way "It is broken, but we have to continue to do what we can for the kids with what we have. We do our best with the broken system, it's all we can do." Maybe you're called to help heal the broken system, to lobby for real solutions. Either way the fact that it's broken shouldn't be what's stopping you from helping. Broken or not, children still sit and wait for their needs to be met.
Excuse #4 - I'm just one person. What can I do?
Answer - You would be surprised what one person can do! I can't begin to tell you how individual people have blessed our family and our agency over the last few years that we've been doing care. A friend sent me a little book on Hope and Strength when we were going through all the legal stuff with Baby Cakes... I can't tell you how precious that little book is to me. Another friend donated a fridge to our foster agency so that the workers had somewhere to put their lunches and drinks. Our church allows our agency to use it's rooms for large trainings if it's needed. Again, tune in during the month of May for other ideas. I know it's cliche but one person can make a difference!
I'm not trying to trivialize people's excuses, I'm just trying to encourage you to help. There are so many ways and our children are worth the time, effort and energy. I can tell you from experience - our children are worth the heartache and pain, they are worth your time and effort. Please pray and see how God would like to use you in the lives of these children.
I did feel bad, I didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. The truth is though, I can't help the passion I have in my heart for these abused children. It's a passion given to me by God, so even if I could erase it I wouldn't. I can't imagine living my life without passion for these children. To me a life without passion is meaningless. This is why those words (or photos) with no action upset me.
May is National Foster Care month. Instead of changing our profile photos I want to encourage everyone to step out and take action for the hurting children all across America. There are so many excuses I've heard from people as to why they don't help. I'd like to answer a few of these excuses with my point of view. It's fine if you disagree, I don't expect everyone to think exactly the way I do. I'm God's unique creation and so are you, we're not going to see eye to eye on all subjects. I just hope to open your heart a little.
Excuse #1 - I just can't become a foster parent.
Answer - You don't have to be!! There are SO many other ways to help children in need! Not everyone has the call of foster parenting on their life. It's ok. I'm not called to the inner city shelters to love on less fortunate adults! I don't spend my days there pouring into them, as so many people do. I do donate and I have volunteered, but it's not the passion God has placed in my heart! Stay tuned during May, I will give ideas of how you can help children in care without actually becoming a foster parent in a series - 31 Days - 31 Ways: Supporting our Foster Care System.
Excuse #2 - I just couldn't give the kids back
Answer - I put this separate from the answer above because this answer isn't "It's not what God's leading me to", it's "I won't do it of my own strength". Honestly, I agree. I couldn't give the kids back with my own strength either. But I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. I won't sugar coat it. It's hard and I cry a lot. My heart breaks... which just feels like an understatement. But the loving arms of Christ pick me back up. He puts a balm on my heart and helps me to keep going. He reminds me of the joy in my work, which is... indescribable. If the only thing that is holding you back is that you can't give the kids back... well then I encourage you think about it some more. If you have faith in God, know He will see you through this if it's what you're called to do. (Please don't read into this that I think everyone should be foster parents, I know it is a calling. I'm just encouraging those who feel they may be called but put up blocks.)
Excuse #3 - I don't agree with the system, it's broken.
Answer - Yup, it is broken. I know that, you know that, they know that. I heard a social worker put it this way "It is broken, but we have to continue to do what we can for the kids with what we have. We do our best with the broken system, it's all we can do." Maybe you're called to help heal the broken system, to lobby for real solutions. Either way the fact that it's broken shouldn't be what's stopping you from helping. Broken or not, children still sit and wait for their needs to be met.
Excuse #4 - I'm just one person. What can I do?
Answer - You would be surprised what one person can do! I can't begin to tell you how individual people have blessed our family and our agency over the last few years that we've been doing care. A friend sent me a little book on Hope and Strength when we were going through all the legal stuff with Baby Cakes... I can't tell you how precious that little book is to me. Another friend donated a fridge to our foster agency so that the workers had somewhere to put their lunches and drinks. Our church allows our agency to use it's rooms for large trainings if it's needed. Again, tune in during the month of May for other ideas. I know it's cliche but one person can make a difference!
I'm not trying to trivialize people's excuses, I'm just trying to encourage you to help. There are so many ways and our children are worth the time, effort and energy. I can tell you from experience - our children are worth the heartache and pain, they are worth your time and effort. Please pray and see how God would like to use you in the lives of these children.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Attn: Foster Parents
I am working on a series of posts for National Foster Care month which is coming up in May. If you are a foster parent (or have been a foster parent, foster child, foster sister or even a social worker) and read my blog and would like to help me out please email me - motheringinashoe @ gmail.com (remove the spaces!)
It's nothing painful I promise ;)
It's nothing painful I promise ;)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Do you Take it for Granted?
Last week I did respite for 2 little girls from another foster family. So during the day I had little girls ages 1, 2, 3 and 4. It was exhausting!
We also had a difficult week with Fancy Pants, my sweet little 4 year old. By the end of the week I was ready for a long break.
I was talking on the phone to a friend about it. She said something that has run through my head all weekend. "Oh, I would have SO much fun with all those girls!"
At the time I thought (lovingly, because she is a dear friend and I adore her) "Oh my goodness, she has no idea how much work this is!" It didn't irritate me, it was thought with a bit of a giggle.
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and has been since - this friend would love to stay home with her child but is just not able to. I have been blessed to be a stay at home mom. But I take it for granted. Ouch.
My world is so busy, as is every moms, working or not. Sometimes though I get so caught up in all the stuff that needs to be done in a day that I lose focus on why I'm doing all that stuff. That's not the way it's supposed to be (even though the world says different) and that is definitely not the way I want it to be. I want to enjoy my children every day, pour into them as much as I can and spend time with them. Last week I was tired and I did play with them. Not the meaningful play and time together that my heart, and their hearts, desire. But required play, so that I could check off that box for the day.
I wish I could say that after this experience I'm forever better and won't ever take the position God has blessed me with for granted again, but the truth is that happens over and over again. For me and for just about everyone on earth.
I can however make a conscious effort today to bring myself back to a place where I appreciate God's plan for my life and walk it out each day. I truely love being a stay at home mom and a foster mom. I would not change a moment of my life, it's all brought me to here and now and I love it!
This week (and every week), in an effort to stop taking for granted what God has blessed me with I am going to take more time to thank God for the position He has put me in. As a mom, as a foster mom, as a wife, that our family is blessed to be a one income household.
I am going to take time each day to play and enjoy my children. Not to check of that box but to experience their personalities, their hearts and their sweet, sweet spirits.
Do you ever take for granted the position God has put you in? What do you do to bring yourself back to a thankful heart and spirit?
We also had a difficult week with Fancy Pants, my sweet little 4 year old. By the end of the week I was ready for a long break.
I was talking on the phone to a friend about it. She said something that has run through my head all weekend. "Oh, I would have SO much fun with all those girls!"
At the time I thought (lovingly, because she is a dear friend and I adore her) "Oh my goodness, she has no idea how much work this is!" It didn't irritate me, it was thought with a bit of a giggle.
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and has been since - this friend would love to stay home with her child but is just not able to. I have been blessed to be a stay at home mom. But I take it for granted. Ouch.
My world is so busy, as is every moms, working or not. Sometimes though I get so caught up in all the stuff that needs to be done in a day that I lose focus on why I'm doing all that stuff. That's not the way it's supposed to be (even though the world says different) and that is definitely not the way I want it to be. I want to enjoy my children every day, pour into them as much as I can and spend time with them. Last week I was tired and I did play with them. Not the meaningful play and time together that my heart, and their hearts, desire. But required play, so that I could check off that box for the day.
I can however make a conscious effort today to bring myself back to a place where I appreciate God's plan for my life and walk it out each day. I truely love being a stay at home mom and a foster mom. I would not change a moment of my life, it's all brought me to here and now and I love it!
This week (and every week), in an effort to stop taking for granted what God has blessed me with I am going to take more time to thank God for the position He has put me in. As a mom, as a foster mom, as a wife, that our family is blessed to be a one income household.
I am going to take time each day to play and enjoy my children. Not to check of that box but to experience their personalities, their hearts and their sweet, sweet spirits.
Do you ever take for granted the position God has put you in? What do you do to bring yourself back to a thankful heart and spirit?
<3
Monday, April 25, 2011
Menu Monday
| Day | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Mon 4/25 | Ham, Potato Salad, Corn, Beans |
| Tue 4/26 | Roast Chicken w/Lemon and Rosemary Roast Potatoes, Asparagus |
| Wed 4/27 | Grandpa's Macaroni & Beans, Salad |
| Thu 4/28 | Southern Style Tomato Gravy w/Biscuits, Three Bean Salad, Carrots & Dip |
| Fri 4/29 | Eggs, Ham, Etc. |
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Seventy Times Seven
I've been thinking a lot lately about my blog and mothering. I started this blog to share my day to day experiences as a stay at home mom/adoptive mom/foster mom. I have no problem sharing the fun things we do with my readers, but I wanted to also share successes in parenting or even failures and gain support and ideas from other moms. I can't even tell you how helpful it is for me when another mom says "we went through that, it was hard, but we got through it and it's better now."
In order to have that though I feel like I need to come out of my comfort zone and share more. However, having a very strong willed child, it's hard to step out and talk about it. Who really wants to rehash the details to the world about how much my child screamed at me today? Venting to friends isn't quite the same and I'm not sure how much really to share. I struggle though and I want to help others who struggle.
I also struggle with negative comments. I don't mind parenting critique from trusted friends and family, however someone who has no idea what our day to day life is like, who may catch a small glimpse and assume they have an idea what is going on in my head, her head, my husband's head... after a difficult day that is the very LAST thing I need. I also don't need "well, maybe she has *insert your chosen defect here*". She's 4 years old, it's too early to say if there is something wrong. I think all that is wrong is her heart is hurt. At 4 years old she's had more pain and loss than most adults. We just have to work through it. She needs healing.
So that brings me back to - do I share? Do I say anything? I really desire to be a help to other families that have struggles similar to ours. In the beginning I wanted this blog to be a way to help other families, foster/adoptive especially, deal with their struggles and pains and joys... especially joys.
How much is too much?
Maybe a simple "I struggled today." Because today I did struggle. Today was hard. But I learned and we're all still whole and alive. Every time we have a struggle I feel like we make progress. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just fooling myself and we're still at the same point we were when we began.
Today both of the parents were home for part of the 2+ hour ordeal. She argued with us, we argued with her, we ended up arguing with each other! It was not pretty in our shoe today. But in the end we talked a lot. The parents talked about what they could do differently (like not engaging in an argument with a 4 year old *sigh*). We didn't end up having a post ordeal talk session with our difficult one like we normally do because by the time we were done everyone was just too exhausted. It was just too much. I really just had nothing left. Somehow I managed to get dinner on the table... just the main course and sliced cucumbers. (The main course was pretty balanced in itself, a meat, dairy, veggie and grain so I don't feel too guilty).
It's over now. I can almost guarantee after a day like this tomorrow will be ok. That is the only solace I can take when we have a day as difficult as today was - we're usually calm for a few days after. I'll get in as much time with her while her world is calm as I can. We'll enjoy the peace and when the storm comes we'll deal with it and pray this cycle is the last, like we do every time. I think the most important thing is that we'll keep going, as long as it takes, as many difficult days as it takes, as many prayers as it takes... seventy times seven...
In order to have that though I feel like I need to come out of my comfort zone and share more. However, having a very strong willed child, it's hard to step out and talk about it. Who really wants to rehash the details to the world about how much my child screamed at me today? Venting to friends isn't quite the same and I'm not sure how much really to share. I struggle though and I want to help others who struggle.
I also struggle with negative comments. I don't mind parenting critique from trusted friends and family, however someone who has no idea what our day to day life is like, who may catch a small glimpse and assume they have an idea what is going on in my head, her head, my husband's head... after a difficult day that is the very LAST thing I need. I also don't need "well, maybe she has *insert your chosen defect here*". She's 4 years old, it's too early to say if there is something wrong. I think all that is wrong is her heart is hurt. At 4 years old she's had more pain and loss than most adults. We just have to work through it. She needs healing.
So that brings me back to - do I share? Do I say anything? I really desire to be a help to other families that have struggles similar to ours. In the beginning I wanted this blog to be a way to help other families, foster/adoptive especially, deal with their struggles and pains and joys... especially joys.
How much is too much?
Maybe a simple "I struggled today." Because today I did struggle. Today was hard. But I learned and we're all still whole and alive. Every time we have a struggle I feel like we make progress. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just fooling myself and we're still at the same point we were when we began.
Today both of the parents were home for part of the 2+ hour ordeal. She argued with us, we argued with her, we ended up arguing with each other! It was not pretty in our shoe today. But in the end we talked a lot. The parents talked about what they could do differently (like not engaging in an argument with a 4 year old *sigh*). We didn't end up having a post ordeal talk session with our difficult one like we normally do because by the time we were done everyone was just too exhausted. It was just too much. I really just had nothing left. Somehow I managed to get dinner on the table... just the main course and sliced cucumbers. (The main course was pretty balanced in itself, a meat, dairy, veggie and grain so I don't feel too guilty).
It's over now. I can almost guarantee after a day like this tomorrow will be ok. That is the only solace I can take when we have a day as difficult as today was - we're usually calm for a few days after. I'll get in as much time with her while her world is calm as I can. We'll enjoy the peace and when the storm comes we'll deal with it and pray this cycle is the last, like we do every time. I think the most important thing is that we'll keep going, as long as it takes, as many difficult days as it takes, as many prayers as it takes... seventy times seven...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sew Inspired!
Do you ever get tired of your favorite thing to do? I know it's a weird question but a few weeks ago I suddenly lost all desire to sew anything! How does that happen?! I'd just bought a ton of new fabric and new patterns and then the thought of the mess it makes and how I have to stop mid project to cook dinner or stop because nap time is over and my kids deserve my attention, etc.... all desire to sew was just gone :(
Until last night! I got an email from allfreesewing.com (if you haven't ever been there go now! Or wait until you're done reading and then go!) The email had links to a bunch of purse tutorials. I clicked on one that was made out of burlap and oh so cute! I however, have no burlap! But I was finally inspired so I wasn't going to let that stop me. I found some material and went to work! The tutorial is lacking a bit, I'm thinking I may do a more in depth one for those who will need a bit more instruction. I did manage to make it though and all together spent less than 4 hours.
(I had a little fun with photo shop this morning, the picture was way too dark and I couldn't get it to look right so I just decided to make it look completely different!)
When my husband walked in and I told him I was making a purse he said, "and I can tell it's for you". I asked how he could tell such a thing. His reply, "because it's grey". I can not seem to get away from grey purses! I just love them. I believe my last 4 purses have been grey. Oh well, it works.
I found the tutorial for these flowers at Freckled Laundry! I have tried to make these flowers before and failed. Her tutorial was fantastic!
I added the pocket to the inside, I love pockets in my purse. Next time I will add a few more. I think I am going to make a little wallet to match... hopefully sometime this week!
Until last night! I got an email from allfreesewing.com (if you haven't ever been there go now! Or wait until you're done reading and then go!) The email had links to a bunch of purse tutorials. I clicked on one that was made out of burlap and oh so cute! I however, have no burlap! But I was finally inspired so I wasn't going to let that stop me. I found some material and went to work! The tutorial is lacking a bit, I'm thinking I may do a more in depth one for those who will need a bit more instruction. I did manage to make it though and all together spent less than 4 hours.
I found the tutorial for these flowers at Freckled Laundry! I have tried to make these flowers before and failed. Her tutorial was fantastic!
I added the pocket to the inside, I love pockets in my purse. Next time I will add a few more. I think I am going to make a little wallet to match... hopefully sometime this week!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Menu Monday
I know I posted a menu last week, but I figured out how to insert my menu into the blog without having to do a screen shot. I also planned out our breakfasts and lunches. So here is this week's menu -
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 4/18 | Cheerios, Honey, Milk, Granola Bread w/Jelly | Finger Foods | Double Macaroni & Cheese, Broccoli, Applesauce | Fish Crackers |
| Tue 4/19 | Granola Bread w/Jelly, Scrambled egg | Double Macaroni & Cheese, Broccoli, Applesauce (leftovers) | Clean Eating Black Bean Quinoa Salad | Apples w/Peanut Butter, Fish Crackers |
| Wed 4/20 | Yogurt w/fruit & Granola | Sandwiches, Carrots w/ranch dip, Fruit | Mexican skillet dinner, Tortillas, Veggies | Celery w/Peanut Butter yogurt dip, Grapes |
| Thu 4/21 | Cereal w/fruit | Cheese Quesadillas, Salad | Turkey Gyros, Oven Baked Fries, Salad | Orange Yogurt Smoothies, Carrots w/dip |
| Fri 4/22 | Scrambled eggs, Granola Toast | Mac & Cheese w/tuna | Caprese Pizza, Salad | Animal Crackers w/peanut butter yogurt dip, Fruit |
| Sat 4/23 | Leftovers | |||
| Sun 4/24 | Easter Dinner - Haven't decided what to cook yet!! |
Friday, April 15, 2011
Menu Planning... Continued
So I got some help from the team over at Say Mmm yesterday and I got their little menu plan widget to work! Scroll down the right side of the blog and let me know what you think! I also got help on how to post my calendar without doing a screen shot. I am thrilled with the customer service... all that help and the site is free!!
(Again, I get no compensation for saying anything nice about Say Mmm... just love to share my positive thoughts. Good customer service is SO hard to find these days so I like to share when I've experienced it!!)
(Again, I get no compensation for saying anything nice about Say Mmm... just love to share my positive thoughts. Good customer service is SO hard to find these days so I like to share when I've experienced it!!)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Menu Planning... or at least trying to!
I came across a great blog the other day - Joyful Mothering
You should definitely check it out. She has weekly challenges to help you keep your home under control and with a joyful heart. This week's challenge was making a menu plan. I'd also come across another site recently Say Mmm, which is a menu planning website and looks pretty awesome!
I've had a little bit of trouble with some of the features, but none of the trouble I've had has to do with menu planning, just their "sharing" features. I contacted customer support and they are helping me out. I should be able to generate a code each week to share my menu with you, without having to type it all out! Once I figure out what I'm doing wrong it's sure to be great!
In the meantime I went ahead and took a screen shot of my menu plan for the week -
You can add your own recipes and once you have a nice list of recipes and ideas planning your menu is quick and easy!! You can also add people as friends to share recipes, ideas and menus with. So make sure to look me up - Mominashoe - if you decide to join the site!
***Disclaimer*** Neither site linked above gave me any sort of compensation for this post. All opinions are strictly my very own. I've linked this post to Joyful Mothering for her weekly challenge, however Say Mmm probably has no idea I've even written this post :)
You should definitely check it out. She has weekly challenges to help you keep your home under control and with a joyful heart. This week's challenge was making a menu plan. I'd also come across another site recently Say Mmm, which is a menu planning website and looks pretty awesome!
I've had a little bit of trouble with some of the features, but none of the trouble I've had has to do with menu planning, just their "sharing" features. I contacted customer support and they are helping me out. I should be able to generate a code each week to share my menu with you, without having to type it all out! Once I figure out what I'm doing wrong it's sure to be great!
In the meantime I went ahead and took a screen shot of my menu plan for the week -
You can add your own recipes and once you have a nice list of recipes and ideas planning your menu is quick and easy!! You can also add people as friends to share recipes, ideas and menus with. So make sure to look me up - Mominashoe - if you decide to join the site!
***Disclaimer*** Neither site linked above gave me any sort of compensation for this post. All opinions are strictly my very own. I've linked this post to Joyful Mothering for her weekly challenge, however Say Mmm probably has no idea I've even written this post :)
New Description...
I have a cute new blog description on the blog header today! Check it out and let me know what you think :)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Blogiversary
It's almost Mothering in a Shoe's 1 year anniversary!! It's been a great year sharing my heart and life with my readers! If you've started a blog then you know it's no easy task keeping on track and setting aside time each week to put up posts. I do much more in a week than I blog about, I often just don't have the time to share. My goal for the next year is to share more of our crafts and fun with you!
In honor of our 1 year "Blogiversary" I want to do a giveaway!!! It's nothing big but I think it's definitely fun! It will appeal most to those cross stitch lovers out there. Even if you don't love cross stitch you may know someone who does! Or you may have a hankering (Texas has rubbed off on me) to learn!
So what is all that? Well there are 7 little card kits I've been saving over the years and realize I'm never going to use. In England they have these AMAZING cross stitch magazines and each month you buy them they have a little kit or something cross stitch related attached! They are all adorable! There is also 2 cute little hangers that you can hang your little cross stitch projects from, they would make great Christmas orniments! There's a pack of DMC stickers for each thread number, to label your threads. And last there are 2 dish towels with an area to cross stitch something unique for your kitchen!
How to enter (leave a separate comment for each entry) -
In honor of our 1 year "Blogiversary" I want to do a giveaway!!! It's nothing big but I think it's definitely fun! It will appeal most to those cross stitch lovers out there. Even if you don't love cross stitch you may know someone who does! Or you may have a hankering (Texas has rubbed off on me) to learn!
So what is all that? Well there are 7 little card kits I've been saving over the years and realize I'm never going to use. In England they have these AMAZING cross stitch magazines and each month you buy them they have a little kit or something cross stitch related attached! They are all adorable! There is also 2 cute little hangers that you can hang your little cross stitch projects from, they would make great Christmas orniments! There's a pack of DMC stickers for each thread number, to label your threads. And last there are 2 dish towels with an area to cross stitch something unique for your kitchen!
How to enter (leave a separate comment for each entry) -
- Leave a comment below
- Share my link with friends (honor system!)
- "Like" Mothering in a Shoe on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter (Mominashoe)
- Tweet about this giveaway - Check out this #giveaway from @mominashoe for her 1 year #blogiversary! http://bit.ly/mominashoe1yr
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
No Doubt
Have you ever let doubt grip you? You know that moment when your heart starts to race, your breathing gets a little faster and the thought that you can do something is heavily outweighed by the thought that you probably, actually, can't do it.
This happens to me a lot. Can I actually say - this used to happen to me a lot. I'm done with this feeling! I've given it over to God and He sure has taken care of it!
Sunday I drove over to our favorite place to buy burritos in town, La Popular. It's just this tiny little building where they sell all sorts of yummy Mexican food and fresh tortillas.
As I was waiting for our order to be filled a poster for Pre-K registration caught my eye. I had been thinking more and more about putting Fancy Pants in Pre-K or some sort of program next year. I don't talk about it much on my blog but she and I tend to butt heads quite a bit. We have a lot of issues to work through with her. My heart so desires to home school my girls. There are so many reasons, too many to write about right now. However, doubt washes over me more often than not.
Will I be able to teach them as well as an educated teacher can?
Will Fancy Pants even want to listen to me?
What experiences will they miss out on? Are these important?
How on earth will I, little old me, be able to teach them how to read?!
As the day draws closer my panic rises. I came home and talked to Tony about possibly putting her into Pre-K. He has a lot of concerns because of Fancy Pants' behavior as well. We talked about it and said we'd talk about it some more but we'd both agreed it was a good idea.
Yesterday when I sat down at the computer and went through my Google Reader with feeds from my favorite blogs one from 1+1+1=1 caught my eye. I have shared this link before and I believe her Tot-School button is on my page. She has developed a great new program for early readers.
Praise God for knowing my fears and directing me to a place where they will be releaved! I don't read the links in my feed burner every day... actually most of the time the feed gets up to 200+ and I just click delete. I'd done that the day before. When I started reading about this program she's developed God started speaking into my heart "You can do this, I've called you to this. You will not be alone in this, I will give you everything you need for this". What an amazing feeling.
I've changed our day up a bit using some suggestions from not only the 1+1+1=1 site but also some other sites that I found links to on her page. I'm excited to start this adventure with the girls. I know it won't be all rainbows and butterflies every day but I am excited to share these moments with the girls, to get to see the looks on their faces when things start to click for them and they read their very first words!!
This happens to me a lot. Can I actually say - this used to happen to me a lot. I'm done with this feeling! I've given it over to God and He sure has taken care of it!
Sunday I drove over to our favorite place to buy burritos in town, La Popular. It's just this tiny little building where they sell all sorts of yummy Mexican food and fresh tortillas.
As I was waiting for our order to be filled a poster for Pre-K registration caught my eye. I had been thinking more and more about putting Fancy Pants in Pre-K or some sort of program next year. I don't talk about it much on my blog but she and I tend to butt heads quite a bit. We have a lot of issues to work through with her. My heart so desires to home school my girls. There are so many reasons, too many to write about right now. However, doubt washes over me more often than not.
Will I be able to teach them as well as an educated teacher can?
Will Fancy Pants even want to listen to me?
What experiences will they miss out on? Are these important?
How on earth will I, little old me, be able to teach them how to read?!
As the day draws closer my panic rises. I came home and talked to Tony about possibly putting her into Pre-K. He has a lot of concerns because of Fancy Pants' behavior as well. We talked about it and said we'd talk about it some more but we'd both agreed it was a good idea.
Yesterday when I sat down at the computer and went through my Google Reader with feeds from my favorite blogs one from 1+1+1=1 caught my eye. I have shared this link before and I believe her Tot-School button is on my page. She has developed a great new program for early readers.
Praise God for knowing my fears and directing me to a place where they will be releaved! I don't read the links in my feed burner every day... actually most of the time the feed gets up to 200+ and I just click delete. I'd done that the day before. When I started reading about this program she's developed God started speaking into my heart "You can do this, I've called you to this. You will not be alone in this, I will give you everything you need for this". What an amazing feeling.
I've changed our day up a bit using some suggestions from not only the 1+1+1=1 site but also some other sites that I found links to on her page. I'm excited to start this adventure with the girls. I know it won't be all rainbows and butterflies every day but I am excited to share these moments with the girls, to get to see the looks on their faces when things start to click for them and they read their very first words!!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Never the same...
Three years ago today I got a call that would change my life forever.
"Hey Tracee, I got a call on a baby girl, 1 day old, straight from the hospital. She was born with cocaine in her system but seems to be doing well. Will you take her?"
"YES!" (No, I did not call my husband... something he has completely forgiven me for)
"Ok... well... I did call another family who was before you on the list. I haven't heard back from them yet... but you know since you said yes I will go ahead and just tell them you will take her".
This phone call plays in my head randomly from time to time. It still makes me tear up.
...to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair...
That evening I was like a woman who just found out she's pregnant and due the next day! I shopped and prepared well into the night. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I wasn't used to my heart being so full of hope. By this time I had all but given up my dream for a large family. God never forgot my dream, never. I believe He was the author of this dream. How could He forget it?
The next day I waited patiently (kind of) for 1pm to come. It was a Saturday and Tony had to work. They let him come home for a bit while they dropped the baby off. My worker came, her mom was with her, it was very sweet. Then this man, Dallas Kennedy... how can I ever forget his name... brought this tiny bundle into my house. I can't even begin to describe the emotions that surrounded my heart.
We talked awhile. Dallas joked that we should name the baby "Mary Jane" on account of her history. Officially her name was "Baby Girl", as her birth mother didn't stay long enough to fill out a birth certificate. We found later that she wanted to name her "Promise Dawn" or "Promise Day". Her middle name now means "Promise". She was God's promise to us, fulfilled. He'd promised me a little girl... He has doubled His promise so far!!
I couldn't wait for the workers to leave. They brought our Baby Cakes in this horrible nightgown that looked like it had been through the wash at least 300 times. It was much too big, it just hung on her tiny little 6 pound body (although, I think she was 5 something at this point, having lost a bit of weight at birth). I changed her into some clothes I'd picked for her and just held her.
Before the workers left they did warn me of some shaking that could occur. They told me to hold her arm down and if she continued to shake she was having a seizure (due to the drugs) and to take her right away to the ER. Talk about scaring a new mother! I'd mothered a baby before, but things have to be much more precise for a baby who has been exposed to drugs in the womb. Their chance for SIDS and other illnesses is so much higher than babies whose mothers took care of themselves during their pregnancy. She did have shakes, however she never had a seizure. Her skin was so dry and just looked so unhealthy. It hung on her little body. It cracked and bled. I imagine the amniotic fluid was so unhealthy and caused this... she had to live in that for 9 months. To this day she still suffers from dry skin. She also had a cough for about 8 months. We don't know if that had anything to do with the drugs, but it sure was nerve wracking caring for this baby, having to answer to workers about this persistent cough we just could not get to go away!
Writing about all these little things is so hard... at the time we loved her and we prayed she'd be ours forever but we didn't know. And we had guards in our heart... for awhile. She tore them down pretty quickly. Most new mothers, to see their babies in that state as a newborn would be devastated. We just cared for her and got through it, it was so sad for us but not the way it is now when I think back on it and realize that was MY baby someone treated that way in their womb. It's hard to think about.
If you know my family now and know our Baby Cakes you probably know about her shaky start to life. If you didn't know us but met us now.... you'd have no idea. The child is so incredibly smart. We had no clue when she was brought to us what kind of effects the drugs would have on her, if they would be long term. She is such a joy to our hearts, smart as a whip. Our life will never be the same and I am SO thankful to God for that!
"Hey Tracee, I got a call on a baby girl, 1 day old, straight from the hospital. She was born with cocaine in her system but seems to be doing well. Will you take her?"
"YES!" (No, I did not call my husband... something he has completely forgiven me for)
"Ok... well... I did call another family who was before you on the list. I haven't heard back from them yet... but you know since you said yes I will go ahead and just tell them you will take her".
This phone call plays in my head randomly from time to time. It still makes me tear up.
...to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair...
That evening I was like a woman who just found out she's pregnant and due the next day! I shopped and prepared well into the night. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I wasn't used to my heart being so full of hope. By this time I had all but given up my dream for a large family. God never forgot my dream, never. I believe He was the author of this dream. How could He forget it?
The next day I waited patiently (kind of) for 1pm to come. It was a Saturday and Tony had to work. They let him come home for a bit while they dropped the baby off. My worker came, her mom was with her, it was very sweet. Then this man, Dallas Kennedy... how can I ever forget his name... brought this tiny bundle into my house. I can't even begin to describe the emotions that surrounded my heart.
We talked awhile. Dallas joked that we should name the baby "Mary Jane" on account of her history. Officially her name was "Baby Girl", as her birth mother didn't stay long enough to fill out a birth certificate. We found later that she wanted to name her "Promise Dawn" or "Promise Day". Her middle name now means "Promise". She was God's promise to us, fulfilled. He'd promised me a little girl... He has doubled His promise so far!!
I couldn't wait for the workers to leave. They brought our Baby Cakes in this horrible nightgown that looked like it had been through the wash at least 300 times. It was much too big, it just hung on her tiny little 6 pound body (although, I think she was 5 something at this point, having lost a bit of weight at birth). I changed her into some clothes I'd picked for her and just held her.
Before the workers left they did warn me of some shaking that could occur. They told me to hold her arm down and if she continued to shake she was having a seizure (due to the drugs) and to take her right away to the ER. Talk about scaring a new mother! I'd mothered a baby before, but things have to be much more precise for a baby who has been exposed to drugs in the womb. Their chance for SIDS and other illnesses is so much higher than babies whose mothers took care of themselves during their pregnancy. She did have shakes, however she never had a seizure. Her skin was so dry and just looked so unhealthy. It hung on her little body. It cracked and bled. I imagine the amniotic fluid was so unhealthy and caused this... she had to live in that for 9 months. To this day she still suffers from dry skin. She also had a cough for about 8 months. We don't know if that had anything to do with the drugs, but it sure was nerve wracking caring for this baby, having to answer to workers about this persistent cough we just could not get to go away!
Writing about all these little things is so hard... at the time we loved her and we prayed she'd be ours forever but we didn't know. And we had guards in our heart... for awhile. She tore them down pretty quickly. Most new mothers, to see their babies in that state as a newborn would be devastated. We just cared for her and got through it, it was so sad for us but not the way it is now when I think back on it and realize that was MY baby someone treated that way in their womb. It's hard to think about.
If you know my family now and know our Baby Cakes you probably know about her shaky start to life. If you didn't know us but met us now.... you'd have no idea. The child is so incredibly smart. We had no clue when she was brought to us what kind of effects the drugs would have on her, if they would be long term. She is such a joy to our hearts, smart as a whip. Our life will never be the same and I am SO thankful to God for that!
Friday, April 8, 2011
In the Garden
It's gardening time! This is quickly becoming my favorite time of year! This is the 2nd year in a row we've planted a garden and I'm really excited about it. We didn't plant all the same things as last year and I can't decide if we planted more or less. I think more... I can't wait to see my little seeds sprouting and the plants I bought already started, flowering!
One of my favorite things about gardening is spending time with the girls outside. I love that I get to share all this with them! This year we sectioned off a bit of area near the fence and planted 5 different varieties of sunflowers! This is their little area. Now, I admit, we didn't pull the grass up or dig down and get all the weeds/roots up. I may regret that, but they were just so excited to get going and I didn't want to dig the yard up. We did put some topsoil down and made a little edge with rocks so daddy doesn't mow over our sunflowers.
One of my favorite things about gardening is spending time with the girls outside. I love that I get to share all this with them! This year we sectioned off a bit of area near the fence and planted 5 different varieties of sunflowers! This is their little area. Now, I admit, we didn't pull the grass up or dig down and get all the weeds/roots up. I may regret that, but they were just so excited to get going and I didn't want to dig the yard up. We did put some topsoil down and made a little edge with rocks so daddy doesn't mow over our sunflowers.
The Sunflower Garden
This planter has squash, jalapenos and bell peppers
Rosemary - every home I've lived in since Italy I've had some variety of rosemary :)
My Topsy Turvey - I've never used it before. I wonder how well it will work! I planted cherry tomatoes in it.
Tony built this trellis thing for my tomato plants since they fell over with the tomato cages last year. I think it's supposed to keep them upright so the plants don't end up laying on the grass... I can't wait to see if it works!
Thyme, a mini variety of Basil and mint. I also planted some purple basil seeds in the long pot.
Chive seeds are in the small pot and lettuce in the large. I know it's silly to grow lettuce in a put, but I've done it before and it keeps the bugs out!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Clean Eating, Day??
I've lost track of my days and I've cheated. WHEW... I feel so much better confessing that!
Honestly though, I really don't consider it cheating, more as I consider it life and treating myself once in awhile. I really have enjoyed clean eating, but honestly I do miss a lot of foods. Right now I can't enjoy them, even in moderation because I just don't have the willpower. It's got to be very few and far between that I enjoy them. This last week I traveled with my mom to California and I couldn't be there without eating In&Out! This is a huge treat for me since I don't get it often and I wasn't about to pass it up! I also enjoyed my step mom's enchiladas and a few Oreos. I am pleased to say though that when I got home I returned to my eating plan!!! I think that's the key when you do something fun, like vacation, and don't want to miss out on all the yummy food - get back on track quickly. Don't let the vacation ruin all your progress, but still enjoy yourself! I really love food so to keep myself from enjoying it would just completely frustrate me :) But there is a balance...
My next step in clean eating is to get my kids more into it. I would like to start tracking Fancy Pants' food and behavior. I know that sounds funny but we have a lot of behavior issues with my sweet girl and I'm wondering if a more natural diet, less processed foods, would help. I really want to start giving them a more healthy breakfast each morning, rather than the cereal they've been getting. I've slowly been learning that just because something is accepted as "healthy" doesn't mean it is.
For example - my girls only eat cereal we get with WIC. But it really is just stomach filler. They aren't getting any nutrition out of the cereal they eat. Not to mention it's all highly processed. I'd rather they had fresh fruits and whole grains for breakfast.
So in an effort to change our eating for the family I am going to start trying to make breakfast more often. Today I made this awesome granola from The Gracious Pantry so that I can make a Granola Bread recipe from the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes book. I added a few things to the granola though - about a cup of shredded coconut and about half a cup of chopped dried apricots.
Honestly though, I really don't consider it cheating, more as I consider it life and treating myself once in awhile. I really have enjoyed clean eating, but honestly I do miss a lot of foods. Right now I can't enjoy them, even in moderation because I just don't have the willpower. It's got to be very few and far between that I enjoy them. This last week I traveled with my mom to California and I couldn't be there without eating In&Out! This is a huge treat for me since I don't get it often and I wasn't about to pass it up! I also enjoyed my step mom's enchiladas and a few Oreos. I am pleased to say though that when I got home I returned to my eating plan!!! I think that's the key when you do something fun, like vacation, and don't want to miss out on all the yummy food - get back on track quickly. Don't let the vacation ruin all your progress, but still enjoy yourself! I really love food so to keep myself from enjoying it would just completely frustrate me :) But there is a balance...
My next step in clean eating is to get my kids more into it. I would like to start tracking Fancy Pants' food and behavior. I know that sounds funny but we have a lot of behavior issues with my sweet girl and I'm wondering if a more natural diet, less processed foods, would help. I really want to start giving them a more healthy breakfast each morning, rather than the cereal they've been getting. I've slowly been learning that just because something is accepted as "healthy" doesn't mean it is.
For example - my girls only eat cereal we get with WIC. But it really is just stomach filler. They aren't getting any nutrition out of the cereal they eat. Not to mention it's all highly processed. I'd rather they had fresh fruits and whole grains for breakfast.
So in an effort to change our eating for the family I am going to start trying to make breakfast more often. Today I made this awesome granola from The Gracious Pantry so that I can make a Granola Bread recipe from the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes book. I added a few things to the granola though - about a cup of shredded coconut and about half a cup of chopped dried apricots.
MMMMMmmmmm!
I'll let you know how the Granola Bread turns out :)
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