I love SO You Think You Can Dance. This week's contemporary piece by Mia Michaels was powerful and moving.

Addiction can touch each of us. Its touch is not limited to the person and substance. Parents friends, children, drivers, can all be affected by one person's addiction. Many children are in the foster care system because of a parent's addiction. Their parents struggle to overcome and provide a better life for each child. I think this video posted on So Buttons gives such insight into the struggle many are encountering as they work to conquer their personal demons

Finished!

Many of you know that I've been completely involved in a huge project at work that ended up having the delivery date slip by over a month. It could be labeled as one of the biggest projects we've ever worked on and to top it off, our department of 2 was at half staff for a good portion of it. My cohort got hit with the swine flu, followed by a vacation. I had a couple sick days myself and barely managed to sneak away for the family reunion.

And even better, Mom and Dad were here for a good portion of that time and I ended up looking like a work-a-holic. I really missed being able to spend time with them and hope they'll come back soon when things aren't so crazy.

Last night, we decided to make the push and just get this project done. It took some effort but we got it out the door and running with minimal interruption and after a full day of monitoring, things seem to be going very smoothly. I can't tell you how glad we are to have it in production and to not be worrying how many other projects would have to slip because of it.

fun: StarFall

Love Love Love this site for Pre-preschoolers. Lil G will hear the keys typing on the computer and ask for "R, R, R, R." If you have a toddler - 1st grader check it out!

foster: Silence

I know that there has been a lot of silence on our blog. We've had a busy summer and I have lots of catching up to do- but that's not the reason I haven't posted. I haven't posted b/c I'm afraid of what will come out. There's been a lot of turmoil in my life lately- all centered around foster care.

We have been so blessed with this first placement. These children are sweet and everyone is working SOOOO hard to get them "home." Sometimes I just hurt for me. Sometimes I am just so frustrated. I'm not even old enough to have an 8 year old and here I am parenting an 8 year old who literally acts 12. All she wants in the world is to be home. And I'm here feeling like a high schooler who has been rejected to the big dance, all because G wants to be with her parent?! Come on E! At least 2x a day I say to myself "It's not about me." But there is a lot going on that is about me: my patience, my capacity, my frustration, my anger, my insecurity, my self image, my self worth.

Some days I feel hurt and rejected and some days I feel elated at the progress being made in their case. I ultimately want these children to go home. Why is that so hard to remember?

project: ottoman

I finally finished the ottoman just after the kids came. It was super easy and for the price tag I love it! I finally found the fabric at Home Fabrics.

1. Frist I laid the fabric over the ottoman right side in towards the ottoman

2. I pinned out my seams. I didn't cut anything. I just pinned the fabric together so it hugged the ottoman closely. I ended up with triangles of excess fabric emanating form the ottoman like spokes. No measuring.

3. Using the sewing machine I sewed along my seams

4. Now you cut out the extra fabric so it has a nice smooth appearance.

5. Using a staple gun, staple to the underside frame working one staple at a time. Alternate sides of the ottoman with each staple. If it was a compass you'd go North then south east then west rotate and repeat.

Here's our finished product.











It's not perfect. It has a little bit of an octogon shape on the top where the seams show. If I were a better seamstress I'd have done a better job on that part. Total project cost, including the ottoman and fabric was under $100.

I'd like to apologize for the guilt my last post has provided some of you. It was not my intent to make my readers feel guilty. I actually admire and aspire to be like most of you (ok don't read anything into the "most" I really mean ALL of you).

I thought I'd take a minute and play catch up.

Both G and Lil G had birthday's last month. G had a Tinkerbell party at Jump On IT! and it was a blast. We made Tu-Tu's for the girls and they all looked super cute. (plus it was an easy way for me to do a spot count-1 TuTu, 2Tu Tu ...8 Tu Tu whooo we've got everyone) I've got some cute headless pictures on J's phone that I can't wait to post.

Lil G had cupcakes and friends in the park and was pleased as pie with the gifts he got. Especially the books from Grandma and Grandpa.

We've been busy just keeping up with our new schedules. Visits, meetings, doctors, and court dates. It's quite busy and doesn't leave much time for us to be sick. I had the stomach flu or food poisoning yesterday and J is getting sick tonight a fever, and aches. We're actually hoping for the stomach flu and not the S word (you know swine flu SHHHHHH!!!!!). We're keeping him isolated just in case.

foster: To Parents

Your children LOVE you. They love you even though you have weaknesses. All they want is to feel wanted, loved and needed by you. No matter what you do they will love you. Young children who have been abandoned, neglected, and abused love their parents, want to protect their parents, and just want to be with their parents. So parents become a permanent fixture in your child’s life. Make sure they know you will be there tomorrow. Do what you can do to insure that you will be. Cut out those things in your life that may prevent you from being there- things that may take you away from your children, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Take a minute and spend some time with your children, laughing, talking, playing. One day they will wake up and you will be gone. Leave some memories for them to hang onto. Love your children.

food: Easy Recipes

So I hear it's been a while since my last post. =) I'm waiting for some pictures so I can post about G's B-day. In the mean time, I've found these quickish and EASY recipes from Allrecipes.com.

Check out this Easy Chicken Alfredo. We used whole wheat pasta and fat free milk products to make this more figure friendly.

Check out this Chicken Florentine Rice Casserole. We used brown rice (not instant) and precooked it before adding it to the casserole.

Both recipes are yummy and lend themselves well to substitution. Oh and did I mention that G and Lil G both ate it!

So FYI: Both these recipes called for cottage cheese. I think fat free cottage cheese is GROSS! But the Kroger brand at Smith's is YUMMMY. If you have a Smith's check out the fat free cottage cheese! Why not cut the calories and the fat if you don't have to cut taste!

Oh and Whitmer Family-Don't even bother looking you won't eat it! =)

family: Moms

Happy Mothers Day to my WONDERFUL MOM. I strive to be more like her every day. She is my ultimate example of the kind of Mom I want to be, kind, patient, generous, with "1st things 1st," as my Stake President may say. Mom I hope you had a wonderful Mothers day!

Happy Mothers Day to my WONDERFUL Mother-in-law. What a great example of strength, love, and unity. I am grateful for her advise, urging, and encouragement that helps me be a better person. I am SOOOO grateful for the example she has set for her children. J is just the most thoughtful, loyal man and I owe it all to his wonderful MOM.

And finally Happy Mothers Day to our dear sisters and sister-in-laws. I'm learning from each of you all the time. I'll often think on memories of your children to help me gage these children. And I mean it-I'm thinking of each of you! Thank you for being great Mom's to your children and setting an example to the world of family.

foster: Lil G and His Nails

Today I was taking care of some Real Estate business first thing. I go to my room keeping an ear out for Lil G. I come out, and sitting in the middle of our hallway is Lil G with his sister's lip gloss- pretty, pink, sparkly lip gloss. What comes next? He has it all over his face, right? Nope! He has taken the wand and is "painting" his toe nails with the pretty, pink, sparkly, sticky, lip gloss. He wants to be just like his big sister, whatever she does he does too, including painting his nails!

Sorry about the bad cell phone picture. I can't seem to ever have batteries in my camera!