Fashion Meets Faith

Another retropost - but too good not to share.  We had an amazing event at our church in November.  Shari Braendel from http://www.fashionmeetsfaith.com/ came to speak.  The event started on Friday night with a fashion show.  Rebecca was one of the models.  It was fun seeing the girls and Rebecca enjoyed the opportunity.

Above is Rebecca in her casual outfit.

This is Rebecca's nicer outfit. 

All of the girls with Shari.

While we were there, Shari did a color analysis on each gal there as well as a body analysis.  She talked about colors, styles and more that would look good on each woman/girl.  Because we were a small crowd, we were each able to participate and get a lot of individual feedback.

One of the neatest things though was her emphasis on each person being beautiful just the way that God has made you!  It wasn't just about looks, but about appreciating how we have been created by a loving Father.

Her testimony is powerful.  This is *not* just a fashion show!  It's *not* just for those who are into clothes and fashion.  It's for all women who struggle with self-esteem and how you feel in your clothes (isn't that all of us?!).  It was a time filled with laughter, learning and more. 

If she is ever close to you, I would highly recommend going!  I hope that we will be able to go again as it was a wonderful week-end!

Blessings,

Leslie

Field Trip to Noah's Landing on Nov 20

A retropost - just for fun!  We went on another really fun field trip with our FIAR group!  This was to Noah's Landing.  We did this in Nov - just before the holidays - and I'm just getting around to sharing it.  I've had the pictures loaded, just late getting to finishing it.

We had to postpone our trip due to weather and we ended up with a beautiful day.  When we arrived, we were divided into 3 groups.  This site is run by a mom and her 2 grown daughters - one is a vet and the other does educational outreach. 

Our group included my 4 youngest children.  We were treated to see so many different kinds of animals!!!  I couldn't begin to name them all.  We learned about each animal and were able to ask questions.  We were also allowed to touch many of them as well.  We saw lemurs, an armidillo, wolves, a skunk, a porcupine, raccoons, birds, snakes, zebra, llama and so much more!  I highly recommend this place for a visit if you live in NC or are travelling in the area!

Here are some photos from our day!

 

Eliana really loves animals - even the (to me) yucky ones!

I thought this little guy was cute!  (Hedgehog)

I think that feeding the animals was the highlight of the day!  The children fed carrots to a zebra, horses, donkeys and llamas. 

What a blessing to learn more about God's creation in such an up-close and interesting way!  I love field trips! 

Blessings,

Leslie

A Day at Elodie Farms

We spent a beautiful day today out with our FIAR group on a field trip.  We went to Elodie Farm which is a goat and dairy farm.  We were met by the nicest man that owns and runs the farm.  When asked about the story behind the name of the farm, he told us he named it for his mom.  It is pronounced like Melody without the "M".  He said a friend told him it is because the "mmmm" is in the cheese.  (I agree!)

We started the tour by walking down the pastures.  It was a lovely, peaceful site. 

When the farmer called, the goats came from a far pasture.  It was fun to watch them coming - and Eliana started signing "dog".  lol  Close - but not dogs. 

We then split into 2 groups with the youngest children going on the first (shorter) tour.  We were shown the areas in which the goats entered the dairy area to be milked.  He explained the milking process - which is done on a platform. 

Then we went into the "kitchen" area and learned about how he made goat cheese.  Someone asked him how he learned and he said he bought a book.  He also has talked often with the author who he said helped him a great deal.  He also confessed that he made a lot of bad cheese his first year. 

The cheese is drained like this.

Cheese by the window drying out.

He makes all varieties of cheese with the exception of mozzerella.  He had samples ready for us to try.  I tried the feta - and it was delicous!!!  So much better than any other that I've had.  He told us that this was because it was fresh.  YUM!  Feta is in the bowl on the left and chevre on the right.

There were a lot of baby goats which the kids had a blast petting and playing with.  Eliana and Daniel liked feeding the kids grass.

The goats liked nibbling on their fingers, hair, clothing - pretty much anything that they could get to.  lol  All of the children enjoyed holding, playing with and watching the goats. 

After both groups of children toured, we stayed for a picnic lunch on his lawn.  He was so very gracious to us!  It was such a relaxing, beautiful setting. 

Rebecca asked if I would like to live on a farm like this and I said yes.  Then she asked if I would like to have goats.  I said yes.  Then she asked if I'd like to make cheese.  Again, I said yes.  The final question was if I'd like getting up early in the morning to milk them and I said that she could have that job.  LOL  I know it's a lot of work!  I loved the setting!

It was another great outing with our group of friends.  If you live in the area, I highly recommend a tour!  And a taste of the cheese of course!

Blessings,

Leslie

Planner and St. Patrick's Day

Just a quick post on the planner I am using since Leanne asked about it.

I purchased the planner from Five in a Row and love the beautiful monthly calendar pages and the many other pages in this digital download.

I put tabs on each month for ease of use.  Gotta love those post-it note tabs (which stay on quite well!).

The pages inside each month are a grid for each of my children.  I planned subject areas I wanted to cover at the beginning of the year.  As they do their work each day, I write completed work in my notebook.  Guess it really isn't a planner per se, since I'm really recording in it and not planning.  Anyway, it is working for me.  Here's a picture of the page I'm using.  It's a simple document created in word.  If anyone wants a copy, I'd be happy to send it to you - just shoot me an email.

We just did a few fun things today for St. Patrick's Day.  It was easy for me to add some things into our workboxes and not feel that I was having to do a whole lot of extra planning.  I got everything from either a free download or a website on-line.

We played a shamrock game - which could really be done any time of year.  I printed shamrocks with numbers on them and cut them out.  Then layed then on the floor face down.  The children walked around the circle while music played and when the music stopped, they picked up the card and told me the number.  It's a young game, but still fun.  After playing a few rounds, I had the two youngest boys line them up in order.

We also played some leprechaun tic tac toe.  Who knew such a simple game would be such a hit.  The older children read about St. Patrick, answered a quiz about a variety of things Irish and played some themed computer games.  One of the interesting tidbits we learned today was that 40 percent of US Presidents have some Irish heritage. 

Rebecca is such a good sport to play the games with the boys.  She also made shamrock cookies - slice and bake - for an afternoon treat. 

Blessings,

Leslie

You Are Special!

I've had several people ask about this since I've posted some recent pictures.  I thought I'd share a little more with anyone reading who might be interested in sharing this tradition with their family.  :-)

Several years ago, Rebecca wanted to go to a pottery place on her birthday (I think this was either '05 or '06 because Daniel was little and Eliana wasn't here yet).  This was the type of place that glazes and fires your pieces.  While she painted, I decided to make a plate for our family.  I chose a square one because it was different.  I painted it red because I thought it made it really stand out - and it reminded me of love.  I decorated it very simply and added the words "You Are Special!"

My idea was that we would use this plate to mark milestones and special events - like when Christopher got his driver's permit.  I also thought it could be used when someone was extra helpful or needed to be reminded that they are loved and valued - not because of what they do, but because of who they are to us and in Christ.

I've been sporadic in using this.  I've used it a couple of times recently though and hope that perhaps this will help get me back on track with it.  I want my family to know how cherished and special they are.  I want them to look for ways to encourage and affirm each other.

To help make this more of a keepsake, I also purchased a journal (at my favorite store - Target).  I wrote a letter to my family in front of it telling about this plate and the journal. 

I started recording the date, person eating from the plate and why they received the plate. 

I am praying that this will be a sweet memory that our family has of times spent together.  I am praying that my children will always know that they are special and loved. 

God said "You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you."  Isaiah 43:4

Blessings,

Leslie

A sweet surprise

arrived in the mail for Rebecca and I. 

One of my dear friends from college, Cyndi, sent these beautiful notecards to Rebecca and I.  She and I reconnected after Eliana was born and she has been such a sweet encouragment to me through so many struggles. 

I am thankful for this precious friend and her heart for loving Jesus and others.

Thank you sweet friend!

Love
Leslie

Cooking challenge - party style!

We had a fun day today.  Several of Christopher's friends came over to celebrate his birthday with him. 

They watched the game (UNC v. Florida State), and were disappointed by the outcome.  I was disappointed at the halftime show!  They briefly showed the men that were being honored as legends, but showed none of the ceremony.  It made me very sad that I wasn't there - and just really disappointed to have missed it. 

I talked with my mom later in the afternoon.  There was a luncheon prior to the game.  They showed film clips/pictures of each man and did a Q and A type interview with each of them.  She said it was interesting and very nice.  She also said that there were a lot of cameras there.  I'm so hoping that I can somehow get a copy of this program - and the halftime show.  I was looking forward to seeing my Dad honored and still hope to do that!

Back to the birthday party.  After the game, I had planned an activity.  I wasn't really sure how this would go over and wondered if we should just skip it.  I wondered if after their team lost, the boys would not be in the mood for this.  I'm so glad that we didn't skip it!  Earlier in the week I had asked each of the 3 older boys to give me a food item in each of the following catagories - carb, dairy, protein, vegetable and a freebie (pick what you want).  I typed out each ingredient and put the strips of paper into a hat.  Each boy drew 3 items.  They were to use these to make into a dish.

There weren't many rules, but here are the few we had.

*You could add in two more food items. 

*You could use any condiments and spices that you wanted.

*You had 20 minutes to complete your dish.

They were judged on creativity, plating and taste.

Each of the boys was the chef and they had one of the younger children as a sous chef.  The pairs worked hard and had a lot of fun.  I enjoyed hearing them talk and work together.  It was fun for all of us!

They did a great job presenting - factual, humorous and interesting.  I also really loved the efforts that they put into making the dishes look nice.  Here's what they came up with:

Team 1 - Ingredients:  chicken, parmesan cheese, pasta

Team 2 - Ingredients:  broccoli, bacon, cheddar cheese

Team 3 - Ingredients:  meat (his choice), alfredo sauce, bread

They did a great job!  We had each team present their dish - which was a lot of fun.  Then they divided the food up so that everyone could taste the dishes.

We awarded the food dishes:

Most kid-friendly - team 1

Best taste & most creative - team 2

Best plating - team 3

Overall highest score - by 1 point - was team 3. 

Afterwards, we sang "Happy Birthday" and ate pumpkin bars.  (You can see them in the picture behind the food dishes.  It is a friend's family recipe and we all think is is fabulous!)

What a fun afternoon - with a bunch of great kids.  The teens and youngers all told me that they thought the cooking challenge was fun.  A couple of mine even said that they wanted a cooking challenge for their birthday.

After watching the fun, Isaiah decided to do his own challenge.  He made up a dish from the ingredients on the counter, made up a judging grid and presented his delicious findings to the rest of us.  (It is bacon on top of tortilla chips.) 

I again am thankful for so much - good health, wonderful family and neat friends.  It was a fun day!

 

Blessings,

Leslie

Ready? Or not?

Don't read on if you don't want to hear the ramblings of someone that is up too late and a little sad about things I have no control over.  Guess that may be a nice way of saying this post may not make you smile.  ;-) 

I started with what seems to be a mundane task.  Sorting and tagging clothes for a consignment sale.  I knew that some of it would be hard so I started with the biggest sizes.  Now, I'm down to the little things.  The things Eliana has worn.  And as I'm looking at them, I feel a tear slide down my face.  Does this happen to anyone else?  I'm not ready to let go of the baby years.

This week marks a year that our last little one was born into heaven.  I was almost 10 weeks and so thrilled about this baby.  I thought I was doing well this week not to be thinking about it too much.  But these tiny little clothes remind me.

I know God's timing and plans are  perfect.  I still miss that baby though.  If it had been a girl, Eliana's little things would be so cute.  She does have some of the sweetest outfits.  Of course, we have boy things to pass down too.  (Those have gotten a bit more wear though.)

So, do I just let go knowing that we may never have another baby?  Or just hold on and hope?  I know, my memories aren't tied to things.  Getting rid of them seems so final though.  I'm not doing the very gracefully, am I? 

One more opportunity to trust.  To let God have control and believe that He knows best.  Ready or not - He is in control. 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

My Dad is a "Legend"

For those that haven't known me for long, you might not know my Dad.  Or that I was a Daddy's girl.  I grew up thinking that my Dad could do no wrong and I wanted to do anything I could to make him proud of me.  I was certainly proud of him.

My Dad was a college basketball coach.  A job that can be glamourous - and also very difficult.  As a child, it was hard to hear the "talk" that went around when the seasons weren't going as well as you hoped or prayed that they would.  It was hard for me to understand why some coachs who were less than honest were successful, while others had years that were hard. 

My Dad taught me a lot though - and the tough times gave room for many of those lessons.  Isn't that always the case?  Why is it that we learn more when times are difficult?  Is it because we are more apt to listen to God, to stop to hear what He has to say?  Is it because we can become too weary to stand on our own and just sink into His arms? 

I learned early on when I would complain about something that "Life isn't fair".  I learned the importance of attitude (having a positive one) and teamwork.  I learned to look at the bright side of things even when it was hard to find.  I learned that your faith can be quiet and private - and carry you through much.

I'm proud of my Dad and that would be true even if his job didn't come with accolades and praise.  I'm proud of him for being honest, for caring about people, for knowing that family and people come first and for his love of God.  I wish you could all know him.  He is honest, interesting, caring and down-to-earth.  I know you would like him.  

This week-end at the ACC tournament, my Dad along with 7 others will be honored as "Legends of the ACC".  If you would like to read more about it, you can see an article here.   My Dad is Bill Foster.

If you want to see my Daddy, check out the half-time program of the 1:30 game on Saturday. 

 

I'm proud of you Daddy and I love you!!!

Leslie

Happy Birthday Christopher!

I'm not sure what it is about birthdays that makes me feel reflective, a little bit sad/nostalgic and also very thankful.  There is something about this birthday - my oldest child's - that sometimes even feels a little more so than others.  Maybe it's because it was the birth of this child that gave me a new role - Mom!  A role that I never knew would bless me beyond my wildest dreams.  A job that was the hardest I've ever done and yet without question the most rewarding as well.  Maybe too it's because I can see the years moving by and know that before long he will be grown.  I'm not ready for that!

Sixteen years ago ... can it be that long?  Can he really be almost a man?!  Yet, it seems so long ago that I wasn't a mom.  It is so much of who I am.  That precious little baby that just melted me heart.  This incredible young man that continues to intrigue, challenge, and bless me. 

We tried to plan out this day - offering MANY suggestions for fun things to do.  In the end, we spent a relaxed day at  home with family.  We played games (mostly basketball) and watched some too.  We watched a movie and we ate - Christopher really loves food!  We started the day with omelettes and hash browns - cooked by my dh!  Christopher had his food on the special plate.

I thought I'd be cooking today - but instead we had pizza for lunch and taco bell for dinner.  Well, I did make pumpkin bars for dessert.  Christopher is not a fan of chocolate and is allergic to nuts, so desserts can be a little limited.  He does love ice cream too - and chose banana pudding ice cream.  Yum!

There are so many things that I enjoy about Christopher - he is interesting and able to talk about a wide range of things.  He is helpful and I really appreciate when he sees a need and just jumps in without being asked.  He is fun and loves playing with his siblings.  He is patient (most of the time) about being tackled and included in their games.  I especially love watching him with Eliana.  He really enjoys her and there is something about seeing a teen-aged boy with a little one that is just extra sweet.

Christopher loves food and is a great cook.  He is willing to experiment and has a good sense of what will work so that his "concoctions" are usually really good!  He is very helpful in the kitchen and has recently volunteered to help out at our church's kitchen once a week too. 

Christopher is bright, likes a challenge and loves games of all sorts - card, board, sports, etc.  He is laid-back, caring helpful and fun to be with.  I enjoy hanging out with him - and get to see a lot of him at night as he is a night owl like me.

I am so thankful that God blessed us with you, Christopher.  My life is so much richer for having been your mom.  I thank God for you every day.

Happy Birthday sweetheart.  I love you!

Mommy