Carrie's Crafty Cottage

Cupcake Top Ten

2009-11-12T20:33:00.003-06:00

I keep a journal for Cupcake. I started it over the summer and have documented milestones in it, and have written a few notes to her. I figure, if she stays with us (who knows), she might be interested in reading it someday when she is much older. Here are a few snippets that are in that journal.

1) She calls granola bars "gorilla bars"

2) She repeats herself constantly until I think I may very well lose my mind.

3) The other day, 5 minutes before going to bed, she said to me "I have made a decision that I am going to do everything you say for the REST of the day. Isn't that GOOD??!?"

4) When something really makes her laugh, she giggles so hard she cannot breathe and her face turns 30 shades of red. And right before I am about to call 9-1-1 she sucks in a huuuuuge breath, just to laugh some more. And that makes me laugh until I have tears running down my face.

5) Seth's nickname for her is "Goober" - they make a great pair.

6) She has the sweetest disposition and the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. Hands down.

7) On the flipside, she has a temper unlike anything I have ever seen - thankfully that only makes an appearance once in a while.

8) She loves singing songs about God. And to God. She walked in the sanctuary at church last Sunday, after church was over, and asked "What's this room for?" (It's not like she hasn't been in it before). I said "That's where we sing to the Lord." She replied "Oooooooh....can we?!!?"

9) I am helping her memorize Scripture. She pronounces it "DueteroMoNy" and "ProBIRDS"

10) Some of her favorites: Pink, purple, chocolate, Dora, Arthur, Veggie Tales, MarioKart, playing at the park, playing Uno....

She has blessed our lives in so many ways, and no matter where life may take her, or keep her ;) we will always be thankful we have had the chance to get to know her.

"Just" rip my heart out

2009-11-10T20:21:00.003-06:00

Being foster parents, we have experienced so many joys, but so many heartbreaks, all at the same time.

Apparently Cupcake and the worker were having a conversation the other day, on the way to her supervised visit with her parents, when she stated, "I'm just a foster kid."

Excuse me while I go pick up the pieces of my heart and put it back inside my body.

Just the mere thought of her thinking she's "just" anything nearly kills me. I don't know where it's coming from. Seth and I love that girl silly, which makes me think that her "innocent" little classmates might be picking on her for it. Who knows. I'll have to do some investigating.

In the meantime, I'm going to go heap some more love on that child.

Life happens.

2009-11-04T21:03:00.005-06:00

Hello dear blog friends! Yes, I am alive. "Buried alive" would be a better description. Because of a certain disease I have - the inability to say NO - I have been overwhelmed with life lately. Too much to do, too little time, not enough energy, resulting in me being sick (just the usual sinus crud) - which is just the icing on the cake.

Blah.

Blah blah blah blah.

I did dig out a little bit this past week and handed over a few projects to some very helpful and understanding friends without feeling too guilty about it, even. And am I ever so glad I did. Because the drama of being a foster parent has reared its head once again. Or is it still? I can't tell which is which anymore. And I can't elaborate - confidentiality/legal issues. But....if you could....would you pray for my sweet little Cupcake?

And....maybe for me, too? One of my good friends and I have been having some issues.

I've been knitting like crazy every chance I get, which isn't much. I've been working on a long cardigan for - myself! I'm so excited to be knitting myself something bigger than a scarf!! I'll post pics when I get a chance.

I also stopped by the library today and picked up a few books:
1. For One More Day, Mitch Albom
2. The Friday Night Knitting Club, Kate Jacobs
3. My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult

For now....I am headed to bed. I need to rest up and get well. I am going to see BETH MOORE in two days, after all!!! Wahoooo!!!

Everything I DIDN'T need to know, I learned in Kindergarten

2009-10-25T09:36:00.002-05:00

In addition to learning to read, recognizing numbers, and learning the months of the year and days of the week, Cupcake has also had a little bit of "culture" during her first months of Kindergarten.

Things that Cupcake has learned from school that I wish she hadn't:

• The "B" word
• The "F" word
(both of these she heard from a boy in her class and told me that he got in trouble)
• The definition of bulemia - one morning at breakfast, said about the cats, "I know why Audrey pukes. Because she doesn't want to get fat like Sam."
• And apparently there is another little boy in her class that is going around saying that he is going to have sex with another little girl in her class. (That one earned an email to the teacher)

What next?

Happy Monday

2009-10-12T10:01:00.000-05:00

Christmas is 10 weeks from Friday!

When life gets stupid

2009-10-08T11:53:00.006-05:00

Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. You know, those days where you think to yourself (about a zillion times) "Are you KIDDING me??!" Those days where all you want to do is hide under the covers. Those days where you drink an entire pot of coffee because it is the ONLY thing (so you think) that is keeping you functional to some degree. Those days where you want to scream and yell and stomp your feet like a 2 year old.

Well, my friends, I've had a lot of days like that lately. Come, sit with me a minute, and let me explain what I'm talking about. You will surely empathize.

• Our health insurance company is an assemblage of crooks. They lied to me several times this past week or so, and refused to admit it. Because that's what they do. So now I have to submit a formal appeal, which is really just a huuuuuge time suck out of my day. But I will do it. Because I have no other choice.

• One of my very good friends and I are not on speaking terms right now. I'm not going to go into details, but it has been a very painful week. I have allowed myself to just step back from it for the time being.

• Seth and I attended a court date involving Cupcake's parents last week (or was it the week before?). It was at the courthouse. So....we arrive at the courthouse just in time for the hearing to start only to realize we were at the wrong courthouse. Yep. It was the next county over. Seriously stupid.

• I dropped my crackberry, I mean blackberry, in the toilet. As you can imagine, it is not working. And that makes me sad.

• I received a call from an irate parent of one of my former students. It was over a small mistake that I had made, but a mistake nonetheless. I took responsibility for it and apologized repeatedly, to which she responded by calling me a liar and a thief.

• My child lies to me about the silliest things and then throws a huuuuuuuge hissy fit when she has to sit on a chair.

• Seth had a health scare this week. Thought that the TB had come back. If you don't remember that whole period of crazy, click here. But, thankfully, it had not. He just has the crud that everyone else has.

As a result of all of this disgusting stupidity that is my life lately, I ended up last night with some anxiety issues and went to bed at 9:00. I'm feeling a bit better this morning, but still feeling........

........stupid.

Thank goodness that I have the Lord, who is bigger than all of this. And who can handle all of my stupid.

No-bake cupcakes, and other fun stuff

2009-09-30T11:32:00.007-05:00

This is what I've been cooking up this week...

Cupcake pincushions, crocheted

This Saturday begins my venture into the craft fair business. I'll be joining my friend, Carrie (no really, it's another one), every Saturday morning in October at the riverfront market. If you're local, come and see me! Heck, come on over even if you have to drive a bit.

I also have been busy making:

• knitted kitty toys
• crocheted and beaded elastic hair bands
• cards, cards, and more cards
• fabric checkbook covers

Could the list be any more random? I think I'm close to being ready for this weekend. I printed up my business cards/price tags last night and jammed up my printer. I'll have more as soon as I find the patience to un-jam it.

Family Fun Day

2009-09-26T08:09:00.002-05:00

Every Saturday we have Family Fun Day. We just spend time together and find something FUN to do.

On today's agenda...

River Market to visit a friend at her craft booth, who I will be joining every Saturday morning in October to try to sell some things.

Quilt Show! Cupcake and I saw a little ad for it yesterday on tv and she nearly had a stroke because she wanted to go see "all the pretty blankets". Am I training her the right way, or what?

Of course, Cupcake and I will be doing those 2 things without Seth. He's still in bed. And wouldn't want to go anyway.

Then when we get back and pick up Mr-Sleepy-Head, we are headed to the apple orchard to have some apple cider and apple donuts and pick some apples!! I'm hoping the solid sheet of fog that is outside right now will burn off before then.

Have a great Saturday!

The weekend

2009-09-20T20:26:00.003-05:00

How does the weekend always go by so quickly? Wasn't it JUST Friday?

Yesterday, as I mentioned before, Jeanette (who hasn't posted to her blog in FOREVER) and I headed over to the Pumpkin Festival. We checked out the craft booths (there weren't many there this year) and ate the mandatory fair food. I searched that place high and low for one of those fried twinkies I had a couple years ago. Hey - once a year, or once every TWO years in this case is not that bad. I mean, come on, if I'm going to the trouble of going then I am going to do it RIGHT. But, sadly, there were none to be found. So Jeanette and I split a funnel cake AND an elephant ear (we're messed up). Oh yeah, baby. We ate about 25% total of each, decided we were going to be sick, and threw the rest out.

So we gave up on the craft booth section, after buying a few things, and headed over to the next town to an amazing little quilt shop and some primitive/country stores. I found the cutest pattern for some cupcake oven mits. I'll post some pics later, after I actually make one. Please don't hold your breath. I will feel guilty if you die.

This morning was spent at church, teaching the 3-year-olds about Isaac. We had some great fun. Home, lunch, then a two hour nap in the afternoon while it poured down rain. That's the best time to take a nap, don't you think? Bible study with my girlfriends and Cupcake had choir practice (today was the first day - she's been looking forward to it for days).

I love weekends.

One of the reasons I like Fall

2009-09-19T08:13:00.002-05:00

The Pumpkin Festival is today!!! And I can barely contain myself. Jeanette and I are going - WITHOUT the children!!!

Craft booths
Food vendors
Parade
Carnival (We might go on a ride. Or two.)
Pumpkin themed everything

Have I mentioned I like Fall?

Answered prayer

2009-09-18T11:48:00.002-05:00

Throughout this whole possible house buying ordeal, we have prayed for God's guidance and discernment. Today he answered our prayer!!

The answer was NO.

I'm not going to lie, I was somewhat disappointed. I really liked that house.

But as I was thanking God for seeing the bigger picture and guiding us where he wants (or doesn't want) us, my heart was filled with unspeakable JOY. How awesome that God heard our prayers and our constant asking for direction and answered us!!! This is all just one more example of how God is present and working in our lives.

I'm excited to see what happens next. Is there a better house? Is there a specific reason He might want us to stay here, instead?

Thank you, Lord, for your sovereignty!!

As if I didn't have enough to do...

2009-09-15T21:09:00.006-05:00

Now it looks like I might have to pack. (Oh, but really, I don't mind!!) We're looking at this house and seriously considering buying it. The decision will be made in the next day or so.

Please pray for us - we don't want to move if it's not where God wants us.

Girl time

2009-09-12T22:06:00.002-05:00

Cupcake and I needed some fun time together. So, after the 3 of us looked at houses this morning (which I will blog about later), we dropped Seth off at home and began our adventure.

First stop: Target. I was on a mission to find the perfect pair of shoes. And I'm cheap, so I went there. We entered the store, at which point Cupcake stated that she was too tired to shop. Great. There went my plan. So I put her in the cart where she proceeded to lay down and tried to take a nap. For those of you who are lucky enough to know Cupcake in person, you know that this is crazy, highly, inconceivably weird. I'm not sure that she really ever sleeps. Ever. I found NO shoes there, but did find a shirt for Cupcake. Then we had to high-tail it out of there, because after 15 minutes in the store, she decided she had to use the restroom "real bad".

Second stop: Lunch at Wendy's. The entire time we were in Target (because it wasn't a real nap, after all. Darn it.) she told me about 932 times that she wanted to eat lunch at Subway. It's a fine establishment, but I was not diggin' the idea. We left Target and she spotted Wendy's across the parking lot. And because I am such a GREAT WONDERFUL MOM I gave in and LET her go to Wendy's. Where it took her 16 hours to eat her cheesburger. Where, yet again, she had to use the restroom. Where, I am still certain, the family sitting next to us, speaking Spanish, were talking and laughing about us. I regretted not paying more attention during the 4 semesters I took of Spanish in high school. Whatever.

Third stop: The mall. Still looking for shoes. On the way in to Sears, out in the parking lot, Cupcake spontaneously broke out in song. But it wasn't just any old song. It was none other than Tina Turner's "Rollin' on the River". And, oh yes, dancing was included. "Rollin!!....Rollin'!!....Rollin' on the riiiiiiveeeeer!!!!!!" And apparently the mood struck her again in JC Penney's. Don't ask. I don't know.

Fourth stop: We found ourselves at Jeff and Christine's house, who have purchased and just moved into their very first house last night. We organized while Cupcake ran around the house in circles, yowling like a cat that was being tortured. I guess that "nap" at Target rejuvenated her.

We picked up a pizza on the way home and watched the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth (with Brendan Fraiser). Probably one of the worst movies I've ever seen. But Cupcake liked it. I think Seth might even have enjoyed it. What does that tell you???

All in all, it was a good day, just her and I spending time together. Now I just have to find a way to delete Tina Turner from her little brain.

Candle bliss

2009-09-10T11:57:00.002-05:00

Ok my lovely little blog peeps, RUN - don't walk - (ok, you can drive. whatever.) to the nearest store that sells Yankee candles and buy these:

They are cinnamon and sugar and they smell like Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. LOVE THEM.

So, now you know.

Go ahead, I'll be here when you get back.

An acquired taste

2009-09-09T13:00:00.005-05:00

I love old things. The more beat up, the better, in my opinion. In fact I have a few pieces of furniture around here that I'd like to take a hammer to.

I inherited a dresser from my friend Jessi that is very well loved. And when I say that, I mean it's got scratches and dings, the paint is worn off and one of the drawers is missing a handle.

And I love it.

However, "Cupcake" does not have the same appreciation. While doing her hair the other day (see the products on top of her dresser?? It's the ONLY way I can keep her 5 year old hair out of her face. Don't judge me.) she said to me:

"My dresser is like 100 years old. It needs more paint."

Sorry sweetie, not in this house.

Crafty crazy

2009-09-06T22:56:00.004-05:00

I am joining in with a friend in October and selling my crafts at a weekly craft fair in town. We'll split a booth. She crochets, I knit. So it's a good fit. If it goes well, I will sell again next year, in June, when it starts back up. I also plan on having some other items in the booth.

• Knitted discloths: at least 10
• Handmade cards: I've got at least 60 in the basket ready to go, if not more
• Girls' hairbows (my newest crafty endeavor): at least 15
• Crocheted cupcake pincushions: 3
• Knitted fridgie magnets: At least 5 for each season/month

So there you go, my goal for the beginning of October.
I plan on spending most of my Labor Day crafting. I'll post pics of what I finish (if my hands are not crippled from the knitting)

It doesn't seem right

2009-09-06T21:19:00.002-05:00

Stopped in at Target tonight after Bible study. Bought enough stuff to fill up only one bag. And it cost $38.00. What is up with that????

Guess who WON a ticket to go see Beth Moore in November?

2009-09-04T22:38:00.003-05:00

It's meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! me me me me!!!!

I'm sorry people, I'm not trying to be boastful, and I'm not trying to brag. But I just can't help being excited!!!!

I joined up with a Bible study group recently, that is doing the Beth Moore Daniel study. I put my name in for a drawing and I WON IT!!!
(By the way, Karessa, love the group. And am loving the study.)

So there are 4 of us that will travel to go see her in November. How will I ever wait 2 whole months?

Blast from the past

2009-09-04T07:27:00.004-05:00

So I was at the hospital all day yesterday because my friend Jessi's hubby was having surgery. (He's fine by the way - had his spleen removed.)

Jessi, Christine (who was also there waiting) and I returned to the waiting room from the cafeteria and then I saw them.

My first 2 little foster babies that we had with us this previous spring. They were with some other lady (I'm guessing another foster mom) and they were on the way out the door. I handed my coffee to Christine and went back out to speak to the lady.

I very politely said "excuse me" and she turned around and said "What."

"Is this (DestructoBoy)...." then I was cut off with a "NO." and she turned around and walked away in a huff.

I'm still not sure why she reacted that way - but it's probably good she did. For all she knows I'm friends with the birth mom. I'll just assume she was being (overly) protective of the kids.

But for 10 seconds yesterday, God allowed me to see that "my" babies were doing well. And that makes my heart so glad.

Our new car

2009-08-08T16:26:00.004-05:00

So I have this thing for naming cars. And appliances. We have been trying to come up with a nickname for our new car the last few days. I veto everything Seth suggests and vice versa. Cupcake thinks we should call the car "Graygan" because it's gray. But...sometimes it's brown. Depends on the light.

What do YOU think we should name her? (Yes, it's a girl.)

Alive

2009-08-05T21:59:00.005-05:00

Car shopping
Car buying
Cooking
Cleaning
Taxi-driving
Child chasing
Music teaching
Bible studying
Chocolate eating
Hormone crazies
Knitting
Knitting
Knitting
Time flying
Phone chatting
Email sending
Organizing attempted
Appointment making
Kindergarten registering
Sanity grasping
Facebook-ing
Menu planning
Grocery shopping
Coupon cutting
Students increasing
Sanity losing
Hysterically laughing
Exhausted collapsing
Blog neglecting
Sleeping

Check this out

2009-07-27T08:28:00.001-05:00

Car accident

2009-07-26T20:37:00.006-05:00

Seth was in a car accident last Wednesday. It was pretty serious, but he is ok. Praise the Lord! He was waiting to make a left turn and the light turned yellow - the lady coming the other direction FLOORED it and hit him at 50mph, never even touching the brakes. Seth overheard her tell the police that she is bi-polar, schizophrenic, and on a multitude of medication. I'm thinking she probably shouldn't even have been driving.

Oh, it could have been so much worse. The Lord was watching over him. And over us, as well. Had we been in the car, in the passenger seats....I don't even want to think about it.

Keep him in your prayers. He does have whiplash pretty bad, and is in a lot of pain. It is slowly subsiding, but he's still needing the pain meds.

We will get $$ from the insurance company to pay off the car, plus a little extra. The insurance companies are currently duking it out to decide who's fault it was.

R.I.P. "Bloo". We'll miss you. ;)

It was worth it.

2009-07-10T18:38:00.007-05:00

Cupcake and I went to Target today, just before heading to her dentist appointment. At the health department. You all remember how much I love the health department. This is all just further proof that God has a sense of humor.

Anyway.

As we are making our way out of the store, I notice that the little Starbucks cafe is offering samples. Ok, like DUH, I'm going to go over there and get one. There were little cups of iced coffee (yum) and samples of little pieces of coffee cake.

I got the coffee and Cupcake got the coffee cake. (Say that 5 times fast)

Just as Cupcake was shoving the first bite in to her mouth I realized how stupid I am for giving her something to eat RIGHT before we were to go to the dentist. I debated, for a split second, which option would be worse: #1 slap it out of her hand, causing a nuclear meltdown at the store, or #2 just let her eat it.

So when we got in the car, I gave her a drink of my Diet Dr Pepper and told her to swish it around in her mouth to make all the crumbs go away. Yes, I did. She did it. Twice.

So we went to the dentist and after a looooooong drawn out conflict involving the wrong name on the medical card, and the wrong name on the routine consent form from dcfs, and an incident with a broken fax machine, the dental assistant came out after Cupcake's cleaning and said, "Can you come here for a minute?"

Oh crap.

She then proceeded to LECTURE me on how I need to help Cupcake with her brushing habits, because there was a LOT of "stuff" around her teeth. (And yes, she even knows that Cupcake is my foster daughter)

I thought about defending myself, saying "But she just ate a piece of cake and washed it down with some pop. Of COURSE she has stuff in there."

The coffee and cake was worth the lecture. Just ask Cupcake.

A Southern sunrise

2009-07-07T18:19:00.008-05:00

Taken on our trip to Little Rock in May. Sitting out on the boat dock at Granny and Papa's lake cabin. Only the sound of crickets, and the occasional frog.

And if the ginormous skeeters bother you.......you do what you have to do.