What's In A Name?

Every story surprises me and breaks my heart.  Three years in and you'd think I'd be desensitized to the stories.  Every one is different, some worse than others.  So why does it still affect me the way it does?  I think because I have the remains of the story - the broken child - in my arms at the end of the day.  How can my heart not ache for the innocent life affected by the poor choices of those who were meant to care for them most on this earth? 

Each time something else strikes me.  Yesterday as we settled our new little girl in (Jewel will be her nickname) what struck me the most is how easy this little Jewel called us Mommy and Daddy.  These words, these names, they are important.  They are supposed to mean something wonderful and special.  For a child to call us that without hesitation within 10 minutes of coming into our home... these words don't mean to her what they meant to me as a child or what they mean to my forever children.  And it's sad.  It'd downright heartbreaking. 

12 New Things: January

I've been meaning to update on this for some time now... almost a month!  My goal for January was to learn to use the embroidery part of my new sewing machine and I am happy to say I accomplished my goal!  I even made personalized party favors for Fancy Pants' 4th birthday.  Each little girl at the tea party got a little door hanger with her name on it.  I also made little tea bags for the toss the tea bag into the tea cup game with little embroidered labels.

It was great, I'm looking forward to embroidering more things.  I need to look into getting some more graphics.  Right now it's a basic embroidery machine but I love it :)

Let's try this again....

Ok, so I did something weird with the facebook page and had to start all over :(  So here is the link once again.  I don't have a dedicated link anymore since I had to start over. Once we get 25 fans I'll make a link again.  Please go "like" Mothering in a Shoe and pass it on to your friends for them to "like" too. 

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Mothering-in-a-Shoe/133682846698983


Also, since no one responded to the can you make it challenge I'm just canceling it.  I'll try to think of something in the future that appeals to more people :(

And We're Done

So I didn't quite make it a week away from "Social Media" but I came close.  I did get the OK from the hubby to turn it back on today.  A few reasons... the chaos that was taking over our home is now under control, which was the point.  And I also needed to contact some people who I really don't know how else to contact outside of Facebook.  How sad is that?  But it has to do with foster care and our changes on the horizon and I wanted to wait until the whole week was up...  but... well I just didn't want to wait any longer!

I did not get all of the things on my list done, not even close.  I will continue to work on it though, it's posted in my kitchen and I've been marking them off as I go.  Here is a recap of our week though -

Saturday

We spent the afternoon at the park and went out for hamburgers.  We tried a new place in town everyone was raving about.  It wasn't as great as the hype, but we had a great time!

Sunday

 Sunday we spent the morning at church, came home and started in on my list of things to do this week.  We cleaned quite a bit and ended our day with some Yahtzee!

Monday

Monday we walked and went to the park again.  I love these photos because they just show the girls personalities so much. 

Sweet and Sassy

Quirky

Determined

Free Spirited

Tuesday

Tuesday was beautiful out!  We grilled pork chops and fresh veggies.  I put together a little packet of garlic, tomatoes, olive oil and salt to put on the grill.  It was super yummy deliciousness wrapped in foil.  We ate it on top of our veggies and chops.  Simple. Yummy.  Goodness.

I liked this quirky little tomato

Wednesday

Wednesday night we put Fancy Pants hair up in pin curls for the first (and probably last) time.

Thursday

They stayed in nicely while she slept!

Hmmm....

 So after I fingered through the curls to let them out a little her poor hair was SO poofy and frizzy.  It was just terrible!  I didn't even take a photo.  I figured there are a lot of ways I am going to mess up as a mother but potsing a bad photo of her on the internet doesn't need to be one of them!!!

So that was our week in photos... I did get a lot more done and am off to do more now.  Hope everyone else had a spectacular week!!

Say what?

Many of us have heard the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42).  Martha opened her home to Jesus.  He was there relaxing and Mary was sitting at His feet, enjoying his company.  Martha was preparing the meal and keeping house.  Martha became resentful to Mary that Mary was enjoying herself with Jesus while there was work to be done.

I have to admit, the first time I really paid attention to this story I totally related to Martha.  I thought "oooh... Mary.  Jesus is about to tell you what for".  Imagine my surprise when He instead go onto Martha! "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed, Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her".  I remember thinking "Really?!  But she's serving Jesus.  Isn't that what we're supposed to do?  Serve?"  I didn't think about it much more but every time the story has come up it's perplexed me a bit.

Early this year our church had Rick Pino come do a worship service.  It was an amazing evening!  At one point he spoke out during worship about Mary and Martha.  It spoke to me so deeply, I haven't been able to shake it.  I want to be a Martha, ready and willing to serve the Lord.  However, God is increasingly revealing to me the need to be a Mary.  To take the time to sit at Jesus feet, to fellowship with Him. 

As time has passed I've realized Martha did like to serve but what about her attitude?  Are we truly serving God when we're resentful for the service we're giving?  If we don't take time to be the Mary and really feel Jesus love for us how can we expect to show His love to those we're serving?  We need to be a reflection of Jesus to those we serve but how can we if we're not spending proper time with Him?

I am realizing the need to be Mary more and more each day.  But I love to serve too.  I don't want to be Mary all the time and neglect to serve in the areas God has called me to.  If you're making sure the Lord is pouring into your life you need to make sure you're pouring out as well.  Think of a fountain.  If you fill up the fountain to full it's great for awhile, but if it's not cycling through then the water becomes stale, mold may grow.  Likewise, if you don't keep adding water eventually the fountain runs dry.  If we don't continue to let the fountain cycle and continue to keep it filled we will never experience it's full beauty.

We need to find that balance.  I really haven't found a sure fire way yet, but I will keep working on it.  How do you find this balance in your life?  Do you tend to be more of a Mary or a Martha?

To-Do List

So my husband requested last night that I take a week long break from social media.  After thinking long and hard about it I decided blogging was very much like social media and I should include it in this sabbatical.  We just have a lot to do around the house and he's going to be traveling a lot this spring starting in a few weeks so we better get cracking.  I did want to put one last blog post though before I call it quits for the week.  (I do have one blog post scheduled for sometime this week, I don't remember which day.  So I didn't cheat, I wrote it awhile ago and scheduled it way ahead.)

I walked through the house and realized I haven't gotten much done at all this past week.  Stuff is piling up.  So while I'm off for the week here is what I am going to work on -

• Move girl foster clothes from diaper boxes to Tupperware we bought at Christmas time and put into the attic
• Streamline closets in Mini Jedi's bedroom, foster room and hall
• Clean out the wretched coat closet (it's really terrible)
• Put away diapers someone blessed us with
• Find homes for the office supplies that came out of my now sewing armoire
• Sew 75 Christmas stockings for the church
• Take down the girls pelmet box (project FAIL)
• Get ready for Mini Jedi's 12th birthday
• Make my family some valentines (we're not doing anything else this year, going to save the $$!)
• Menu plans
• Freezer and Pantry inventory
• Touch up paint where we messed up the wall from the failed pelmet box
• Clean out girls pajama drawers
• Get foster room ready for any new placements (It tends to become the catch all room when empty)
• Tot School plans (I'd like to get at least a month done)
• Get through my overflowing mending pile
• Spring clean and organize the kitchen
• Catch up on some reading so I can start some new books I want to read
• Deep clean the house
• Plan my garden!!!!  (I can't wait!)
• Clean off the back patio, get rid of toys that are broken or no longer played with
• Crafts with the girls
• Make little closet sorter things for the girls clothes (I like to keep them organized - bottoms, long sleeve tops, short sleeve tops, dresses)

I am sure there is more I need to do, but that list does already seem a little daunting.  I'm going to print it as soon as I'm done posting this blog and get to it. 

See you in a week!  Hopefully I'll have some stuff to blog about!

Move Forward

Do you ever get a shake from God?  You know when you're going along, things are good, you may even have a ministry that is going fairly well and then God says "move forward".  Huh?  Move where?  I like it here.  It's nice and cozy, my butt fits perfectly in this spot.  I've been here awhile now and it's molded to my body.  It's nice!  And God says "move forward".  Do you ever want to ask Him "But why?!"  Well, I do... why do I need to move forward?  Why can't I just stay in this comfortable spot?  I even at times can revert to the maturity level of my 2 year old and yell "But I don't wanna!" 

*sigh*

We've been fostering for 3 years now.  It's been one of the hardest things and hands down the most rewarding thing we've ever been through.  The "hard" rivals that of infertility but there is always pay off in the form of hugs, kisses, smiles, cuddles, getting to view children progress and thrive... there were no pay offs like that in infertility (Until we got our girls, that was one HUGE payoff in the end that just keeps giving!)  We're comfortable where we're at.  I like to think we're at least a little good at it.  I know there's always room for improvement.  I've felt for a long time though that we're no longer meeting the need we are ment to meet. (Did you follow that?)  The ages we take are very popular ages.  I love this age, I love these kids.  But we want to meet a NEED, we want to progress and dig deeper and really love "the least of these."  It no longer feels like the area we focus on are "the least of these".  Don't get me wrong, they need foster parents for all age groups and all levels of care.  Now that we're more experienced though maybe it's time to move on to an area that is in need of carers instead of the "easy" kids. 

I've felt this way for awhile but the thought of change is scary but God keeps telling me "move forward, meet a NEED."  We have our children to consider and some areas of great need are not areas we can specialize in at this time.  We're exploring options and praying and taking those first baby steps out of our comfort zone and we will see where God takes us.  He's never forsaken us so far so I'm pretty certain He will hold on to us through this, wherever He moves us to next.

Potholders

So I have this old potholder that I love.  Not because of the pattern but because of the style.  I bought it in England years ago and it's really not in the best shape anymore.  I've noticed lately it also doesn't do that great of a job keeping my hands from burning.  I've been meaning to make a new one for quite some time now. 

This style of potholder is common in England.  I've never seen them for sale in the US, but I haven't ever looked either.  I love it because I feel like I have a better grip on the dish without having two potholders sliding around.  It also keeps my body and arms safe if it's a large dish (like a roaster or large dutch oven).

As I was browsing Google Reader Tuesday I came across a blog that mentioned they'd entered a potholder into a contest to win a sewing machine at Prudent Baby.  What a great reason to finally make my new potholder!  When I checked it out though the deadline was Wednesday at Midnight.  I figured I'd better get cracking.  I've never made a potholder before and was a little nervous it would turn out horribly.  I wish I'd had the patience to do a tutorial last night, however now that I've gotten it down I will try to do one next week for those who would like a pot holder this style.  I was very fortunate to come across Prudent Baby's bias tape tutorial as I've never sewn with it before and was about to go about it all the wrong way!  I am sure it saved me hours of frustration and many tears.  (I did shed a tear or two over the flower I wanted to make for the potholder, but I do like the one I finally came up with.  I told Tony he'd better pray because if THIS one didn't turn out I was going to burst into tears for real.  He layed on the couch and prayed the whole time I worked on the little flower that ended up on the potholder).

So here is my completed potholder, it took me 5 hours to complete.  I have no idea if I'll win, I'm sure there are many many entries from many skilled ladies who sew very well.  Even if I don't win, I have a new potholder :)

Wordless Wednesday: McGuire's

Can You Create It? Challenge

Ok crafters out there, let's have a little fun!  While we were eating dinner tonight (out with the family) I knew afterwards we were going to be visiting Lowes.  I like Lowes, however I'd really rather go to a craft or fabric store!  I started thinking about what you could make with random items from a hardware store and the creative juices started to flow - How much fun would it be to pick a random list of items and see what can be created from it.  I thought you might like to join.  I've come up with a fairly simple list this time and I'd love to see your creative side and see what you can make from the following items -

1.  Something from the nuts/bolts/screws isle of your local hardware store.
2.  Something with a sticky back (tape, stickers, contact paper, etc.)
3.  A magazine (doesn't have to be the whole magazine, but some part of a magazine must be incorporated into your project.)
4.  String, ribbon or yarn
5.  A flower (any sort, not necessarily fresh)

Got that?  Here are some rules -

1.  You may add up to 3 more things to your project
2.  Your incorporated items must not make up more than 1/3 of the project
3.  You must use all 5 items listed above
4.  Submit photos of your completed items to motheringinashoe (at sign) gmail dot com (I'm sure you can figure that out, think of how an email address should be formatted.)
5.  Projects must be submitted by February 20th (Mini Jedi's birthday!)
6.  I will chose my favorite 3 projects and we will have a vote on the blog for the winner
7.  I will have a prize, I just haven't decided what yet!!
8.  The winner will get to chose 3 out of 5 of the next challenge's must have items!
9.  You may only submit one project.
10.  You must take a photo of your supplies before you start!

I will also try to do some guest posts on how you made your items if you add a tutorial to your own blog.
Any questions?  More importantly, anyone interested in joining??  Please let me know by leaving a comment below so I can get an idea of how many people may be participating.  Please feel free to pass this post on to friends or blog about this fun challenge!

Dress-Up

A few weeks back Baby Cakes favorite dress up dress decided to fall apart.  It may have had something to do with the fact it's about the only thing in the dress up box she'd wear.  She wanted to wear it completely falling apart so I finally convinced her to give it to me and let me make her a new one.

I didn't want to buy a pattern so I took the dress apart and used it as a pattern.  It worked out fairly well, the bodice is a little long but it's dress-up... who cares?

I did have a few little mishaps along the way, that's what happens when you try to sew while the kids are awake!

Mishap #1 -

This was right before nap - I put the sleeve on wrong.  I didn't put the right sides together, so the top of the bodice is out, not in.  I didn't want to fix it since I'd gathered that little puff sleeve right there and the fabric is kind of delicate.  I came up with a fix, you'll see a few photos down.

When I finished the top it didn't go on very smooth so I decided the sides needed to be let out a bit.  I added a strip of ribbon -

So after a few more mishaps here is the finished dress and the princess who will wear it -

(Here's the fix to my mistake - I just covered the edges in ribbon and a pretty stitch)

That sweet smile is worth all the work :)

Settling Back In

So after a week away from the kids it's always hard to get back into the routine of things.  We tend to have a little longer recovery time from things that take us out of our routine than a traditional family.  Fancy Pants has an especially difficult time with it, combined with a family member visiting and leaving and that can throw her off track for quite awhile.  Her sleeping patterns change, behavior changes, sometimes even her appetite, etc.  (I often marvel at the things a mother notices!)

Being away from the routine can also be good.  I feel like the little dose of change can help Fancy Pants learn to deal with the changes life can throw at us.  Her routine was off, but not much.  I wasn't here with her like a normal day, but someone who loves her was.  She continued to do crafts and play just like when I'm home.  Overall it was just a healthy dose of different.  Every time she has to deal with a change in routine and the grief that grips her when she has to say goodbye to someone she loves makes it a little easier.  Every time they come back she slowly realizes not everyone in her life is going to go away for good. 

So we'll take this week to lay low, we'll cuddle a lot and talk.  In the past we've set up rewards for good behavior after a loved one leaves.  We may do something small but we need Fancy Pants to learn to control her behavior without a reward in place. Self control is something we value and want to establish in our children.  (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.) 

We will also take this week to decide what of our routine stays, what goes and what else to add.  We do a lot of crafts and random learning but I'd like to get back into our Tot-School routine.  We need a little more focus on our learning.  Next year we are going to start homeschooling, mostly preschool stuff.  The girls are ready and eager to learn.  Baby Cakes shocked us yesterday when she could spell both her and Fancy Pants' names out loud!  I love that she learns and understands everything I work with Fancy Pants on, despite being 15 months younger. 

So that is what we are up to this week, hopefully our new routine next week will generate more stuff to blog about :)