Out With The Old...(tonsils that is)

We were all up early today, Savannah commented on the falling snow, and we all joked that we were walking in the middle of a SNOW GLOBE. Brad took the idea a little further to say that snow globes usually have themes...so we agreed today's Snow Globe moment would be called "A Tonsillectomy Wonderland". We even made up a song about it in case the snow globe was musical, but it includes the words, "cut 'em out, cut 'em out, put them in a jar, let's analyze them....(to the tune of giddy up, giddy up, giddy up.. let's go...let's look at the show)...and a couple other incomplete verses, but these may be more disturbing than funny...even though they were really funny to us this morning.

Savannah and Danielle both underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures this morning.  I know, WHAT A GREAT WAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR...from the outside we may look like a normal family.  ANYWAY...the other girls went to hang out with G-ma and G-pa Foster and we went to Outpatient Surgery to celebrate...I guess.

The nurses gave Danielle a choice for a stuffed animal, so she chose Socks, the Monkey...it was funny because when I saw the basket of animals, that was the one I wanted too, but I tried to remain impartial so as not to influence her choice.  Why do sock monkeys always make me smile?

Definitely in my "top 10" mommy moments...holding your baby after surgery.  So many warm fuzzies!

Savannah before the IV and anesthesia...she is still smiling at this point.  I didn't get to hold her when she was done :(

They were both very BRAVE and came through surgery well...Danielle was all ready to take on the world after she had changed back into her street clothes, but I think Savannah's pain is at a bit of a higher level since she is older.  At any rate, they are well and HUNGRY!  I am now on a mission to purchase enough soft foods for their week of recovery.

We will be welcoming 2014 with a round of popsicles!  Maybe it will become a new Fosterrific tradition!  IN WITH THE NEW, RIGHT?!  Wishing you a blessed 2014!

Stalking the Stocking Stuffer

I picked McKenna up at a friend's house earlier today and I was planning to stop by Meijer for a gallon of milk and a few odds and ends, but as I was waiting at a stop light...SANTA CLAUS turned left and crossed in front of me in a silver convertible with the top down.  I was shocked, but then I thought...that probably made sense that he would be in a convertible in Jackson, MI since he is accustomed to the weather at the North Pole...our current temperatures would seem quite mild to him.  So, my Meijer plans changed and I decided to turn right and tail Santa for a while...HOW FUN IS THAT!?  I was trying to find my phone quickly so I could get a picture of him and, as I looked around, everyone else was doing the same thing. I cannot confirm or deny whether I was speeding to keep up with him :).  Then, Santa and I got stopped at the same stop light, so I maneuvered to the second lane so we could be side by side.  He looked over at me, waved, and there was a twinkle in his eye that told me I could be pretty excited about Christmas morning.  You may think I am kidding, but this story is true!

What a fun day....I also worked on our annual Elf Yourself video.  I realized this is another reason why having 5 kids is the perfect number...you can make up to 5 elf faces.  Here is a link to the video: 

http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=1177/clientId=299/?mId=55905092.2

Have yoursELF a merry little Christmas!

Keep Calm and Bake On

I saw some cute little spatulas this week with this phrase on them...love it!  I think the saying is appropriate for this time of year...KEEP CALM and BAKE ON!

So, we started our baking tonight and I picked something that was very interactive...I saw these really cute melted snowman cookies, but my family loves oreo truffles, so we altered the cookie idea and made what I really want to call snowman melt-aways...they are so cute, I really hated to eat one of them...well, "hated" is a pretty strong word :P YUM!  Here are some pictures from our fun evening!

Trying to smash and mash oreos until it looks like a mud pie...my hand was sore.

 The girls making the snowman hats with mini oreos and rolos

 Karly was thrilled to be in charge of the frozen oreos

 I was in charge of the slushy mess...poor Frosty! 

 Kassi, Danielle, Vannah, and Kenna added the faces and hats...so artistic!

 I love how they turned out!  I have peeked at them a couple times in my freezer just to smile at them!

Love Came Down

It really happened....love came down!  God's love for us is the only perfect gift we can encounter.  As parents, spouses, children, friends...whatever our roles in the relationships God has given us, we can and will fail, for many reasons, to show His perfect love.  

I was out Wednesday night to try to finish up my Christmas shopping and I was thinking about all the people out and about...scurrying to find the perfect things for their loved ones.  I like to call them "squeal" gifts....the ones I always hope will elicit some kind of audible wow response. I think I have a few this year and that is exciting!

God had a word for my heart and maybe it will touch you as well.  There really is not a perfect gift I could give.  Even though I love my family and friends dearly, and I think often of how knowing them well leads me to certain gift ideas....my gifts are not able to give a deep lasting joy....they cannot love unconditionally....and they cannot offer anyone a second chance for reconciliation, an opportunity for redemption, or salvation and eternal life.

The gifts I give can only be an expression of the joy I find in God's perfect gift of His son, Jesus. HE KNOWS ME...He knows me so well...HIS gifts are always perfect and timely!  If I am HIS child and wait on HIM...I will see gifts everyday in terms of HIS provision for me, protection over me...gifts of HIS pleasure in me...gifts to give me HIS purpose...and sometimes, even reprimands are gifts.  I want my eyes to be open to these gifts daily and my heart to accept them willingly!  

Hopetown, Here We Come!

I am happy to announce that Village Hope Church was able to raise the $80,000 in 40 weeks for the next phase of our building project.  In fact, they really missed the mark : )  They missed it by going over by $10,000... (10,000 reasons? weird!) I know that was totally God showing off! I am so excited to begin planning for the kids area, Hopetown!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to put some serious thought into the ways God has blessed your life.  I know one of the biggest things that struck me as we all sat down to feast...was that the only concern we had at that moment was if all the food was warm at the same time.  Isn't that crazy?  I am not putting anyone down that thinks about that...I would certainly have the same concerns...but, I was just so overwhelmed by that this year. I am still thinking about it in terms of really how blessed I am. Sometimes our life of abundance clouds the reality of our utter dependence on Christ.  That's all I have on that for now as I am still working out what this means and why God would so strongly impress my mind with it.

We are beginning to prepare for Christmas.  Every year I pray we do not miss the true meaning in the process of all the plans and presents. I have been enjoying helping Brad find information to prepare for his sermons each week.  He just started into an Advent Series and I was reading some articles that talk about how Christmas is not our birthday...most of the time we act like it is, right?  Anyway, I thought this was an interesting thought to consider...what gift would Jesus want for His birthday?

Here are a few new pictures from our little photographer, Vannah.  She saved some money to buy a camera and then daddy took her shopping for it.  Needless to say, they went over her budget and I am jealous of her new toy : )  Well, I can have fun editing them and, maybe if I am good, Santa will get me one too.  Right, Santa?

Mini Kooper is hoping to join in some reindeer games : )  Not really...see my hand...I am basically holding his neck there for this pose.  After we put him down (on the floor), he attacked the antlers.

Kenna did a great job as Glinda the Good Witch in her 5th grade production a few weeks ago! I thought I would add a picture of her from that night...she was so sparkly!

When I was at the grocery store this week, Brad and the girls surprised me by putting up a Christmas tree in the Beach Bedroom.

I have to post some of these weird tooth pics while I can...I know once we start with all the corrective mouth work ahead of us, we will be paying for braces for a while :)

Enjoy your Christmas preparations!  If you are like me, I will remind you to take a deep breath and relax.