Christmas at Fosterville!

Every since I was a little girl Christmas was a big thing for our family. My grandma on my mom's side LOVED Christmas. She went all out!!! Back then people just put up a tree and their stockings, not my grandma she put up a tree in the family room and a tree in the den! I absolutely loved it. We also had Santa come to grandma's house on Christmas Eve. I know this might sound weird, but until this day I get this certain smell in the air  and I think...SANTA? I swear I know what Santa smells like! I can't explain it but I know that smell! It's crisp and clean and fresh! Well needless to say the tradition has not faded! My mother as well as myself go all out for Christmas. I put up two large trees and several small trees. I am not really happy with the way these pictures turned out. They don't do the decorations justice but I have not blogged since Thanksgiving and I just wanted to get this done. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us here in Fosterville. Enjoy our home!

And for all of you people with pre-lite trees... BITE ME! I don't have one!
This is my absolute favorite ornament! My Grandma had a whole strand of these Winnie the Pooh lites and I cherish the one that I got. (Yes it is very worn but it is my favorite!)

A few years ago I wanted to add my grandma to my Christmas even though she has pasted so I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a picture ornament for all of the people in our family who have past that we would love to be spending Christmas with if they were here on earth. Here she is... The most beautiful woman I know... My Grandma Marie!

Here is the tree skirt that I made all by myself!

Now here is both sides of the fireplace!

I put greens around everything hanging on the wall.

Even the little pictures on the side tables.

Excuse the Hubs in his regular spot!

Now moving onto the entryway.

Ok here is the kitchen.

That snowman was also my grandma's. It play's Frosty The Snowman! I love it!!!

From our home to yours. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

What am I thankful for? Well lots of things but most of all these guys!

It was such a great day today. The guys and I headed to Woodward around 11 am to spend turkey day at my little sister's house.

(Me and My Lil sis Sharla)

When we got there everyone was already there including Kendra. It was so nice to have everyone together for the day. I have done so good with my diet (22 pounds down to be exact) but who can really stick to a diet on Thanksgiving. I ate more today than I've eaten in a month and the way my luck goes I probably gained half the weight I've lost back in one meal. It was awesome though!! After dinner this was pretty much my view for the rest of the day!

Food, Family and Football! Who could ask for a better day.

Now on to some of what I've done around the house this week. I've been busy decorating for Christmas and I'm not quite done so I will post those pictures on my next blog. I did however get my living room walls stained and I love the way they turned out.

 I had been waiting to get the walls stained so I could put up my new Simply Said wall designs.

  I put this one above the large window in our living room.

I also order a design for the front door but wanted to paint it red first.

The door before.

Pretty boring if you ask me. I love color and I'm not afraid to go bold! This to me says Welcome!

And I especially love the Simply Said Design.

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. You might ask why I care so much?

On October 26, 2003 my youngest child Kendall was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.

A few short months after we moved our family from Oklahoma to Texas Kendall began to not act like himself. I thought that Kendall was dealing with depression due to the move. After weeks of watching him lose weight and sleep much more than normal I decided it was time for a trip to the hospital. I went in to wake Kendall up to take him to the hospital and by this point he was so weak he couldn't even stand to brush his teeth. While being admitted into the E.R. the man asked us if Kendall was diabetic. Diabetic? No! But after seeing the doctor our fears were confirmed. They transported him by ambulance to the P.I.C.U at Children's Hospital. Kendall was in the P.I.C.U for several days and remained in the hospital for what seemed to be forever. They would not allow us to go home until they felt confident that we were able to handle this disease at home. We all learned how to give and receive shots. Yes Kendall even had the chance to give Chris and me injections. (Not of insulin of course but he still was able to show us a little of what he was facing) When we returned home I remember not wanting to leave him alone even for a second. I even slept with him. The past 7 years have had it's challenges. Some good & some bad. I continue to pray for a cure for this disease not only for my son but for anyone who has to live with this disease daily.

There are good days and bad days but push through and keep your head held high.

I love you Kendall Christopher Foster!

Love, Mom

M.I.A.

I'm back! Really I have no excuses for not blogging in so long, I guess you can say I just needed a break. What has been going on since I blogged last? Where do I begin?

MOM AND DAD FINALLY HAVE THEIR FURNITURE! Last Sunday we unloaded all of mom and dad's things for the very last time (I hope) I will post pictures soon. I want to get everything decorated before I post any.

On a sad note, this community was once again tested this past week. A horrible accident occurred last weekend and took the young life of Noel Gonzales. 

The community once again came together to support this family. I pray that the Lord wraps his arms around this family and gives them some sense of comfort. 

Rest in peace Noel.

This week also marked the 7 year Anniversary that Kendall has battled Type 1 Diabetes.

I remember it like it was yesterday when the doctor gave us the news that Kendall was diabetic. They loaded him up in the ambulance and transported him to children's hospital where we stayed in ICU for 5 days. Right now Kendall is on a insulin pump and his A1C has improved tremendously. It still is not in the normal range, but it is a lot better than it ever has been before. We continue to pray for a cure but until then we continue to try and manage this disease.

 

And we had another Anniversary around the Foster house this week. The Hubs and I celebrated 22 years of marriage.

Happy Anniversary Hubs!

I Love You!

I also got a new item for my kitchen. Meet my stainless steel Electrolux Refrigerator

I love my new addition!

 

OK I know this is a shorter than normal post for me, sorry but I didn't take many pictures this week and you know me I'm a visual person. I head to OKC this week for work. I can't wait. It gonna be nice to get away for a few days.

I hope everyone has a great week!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

 

 

Wonderful Wednesday.

Just a few things that I am loving.

I LOVE my late night phone conversations that I've been having lately with this girl.

I am missing this guy because I LOVE his smile. (He has been out of town all week)

I am super PROUD of this guy. He has worked 14 days straight. I LOVE his dedication.
Happy Wednesday Everyone.
Oh and guess what else I'm loving? I LOVE THAT IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY:)



Happy Birthday Kaleb

Happy 20th Birthday Kaleb Clinton Foster!

I start a birthday post last night when I got home but was so tired that I decided to go to bed so here is the Birthday message a day late. 20 years ago I was blessed with our first son! I had all sisters growing up so having a boy was a little strange for me, but we adjusted just fine. Kaleb has grown up to be such a great young man. I love his smile. He has one of those smiles that you can feel. He smiles with his eyes and they give off so much energy that you can feel it. Kaleb has always been a laid back person, when he was little he would get a pile of cars and play for hours with them. He was always busy, but always could entertain himself.

Kaleb, I love you with all my heart. I miss the little boy you use to be, but I love the man you have become. You have had many challenges in your life and you have always amazed me with the way you have handled those situations. I can't wait to see what the world holds for you and I will always be here for you. You know you're never too old to need your momma:) I love you Buddy, Happy Birthday!

We took Kaleb over to Los Postros for his birthday dinner. My dad met us there and so did my BFF Kristi and her kids and Krislyn. We had a great time full of laughter and only one major melt down by Colton. ( I'm proud to say it was diffused very quickly, but thanks for causing the drama DAD!)

Here are a few pictures of our evening.

Me and my baby boy.

Colton and Kaleb.

Brooklyn and Kaleb

The traditional birthday cream.

Can you tell these kids just LOVE him! I love this picture.

Happy Birthday again Buddy! We LOVE You:)

Cookie Fun!

I meet my BFF Kristi and her 2 kids last night at Alma's (our local pool hall) for pizza and pool. I promised Colton last Saturday that we would go up there this week and eat pizza. Colton is very particular who gets to watch him while his parents are working & since I was off on Friday I asked if he wanted to come hang out with me. He said yes and we talked about making cookies and just hanging out together. When I woke up I got ahold of his grandma to see if he was still wanting to spend the day with me. She said "That's all he has been talking about all morning!" I went and picked him up and we went up town to eat at the new deli that opened down town, which I might add if you are from the area it is well worth stopping by. I had soup and a sandwich and it was VERY GOOD!

After lunch it was time to start baking COOKIES!

Can you tell by that smile how excited he was:)

He informed me that he could hold the mixer all by himself and I let him until he let go of the mixer to wipe off his hands. We kinda look mad at each other in this picture but I promise we didn't even argue one time:) I just love this kid.

Colton rolling the dough in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

And here we are, we are so proud of our snicker doodles and they were delicious.

As you can see Colton ate his ALL GONE!

 I couldn't leave Brooklyn out so I promised to pick her up from school. It just made my heart melt when I went up to get her and her teacher said "I see Brooklyn's ride." and she came out grinning from ear to ear. She even patted me on the leg as we walked back to the car. After a trip to the Sugar Shack for some snow cones we headed home to bake some more cookies. This time it was Brooklyn's turn.

We kinda had to rush through our mixing because they had to head to Enid for haircuts by 5:00. But Brooklyn was awesome and did a great job.

Brooklyn stirring in the Choc. Chips

And since Brooklyn had to go to Enid I didn't get a picture of her and I and the finished product. But here they are.

I would like to also announce and congratulate my BFF's on their new baby to be born in June!!!

I am so happy for the both of you Chad and Kristi and I just can't wait so I can spoil another Cink:)

CONGRATULATIONS, WE LOVE YOU!