Fresh Style (And Other Updates!)

Hello guys!!
So much has been happening around these parts, but first thing's first...I wanted to let you all know that when you see the latest issue of Fresh Style magazine on the stands, you should snatch it up! Because I was lucky enough to be asked to do their Crafts for Kids section and I had so much fun doing it. We made wall art and pressed-flower mobiles, super-easy paper posies, photo flash cards, a handmade jumprope and a special patriotic craft for kids with family or friends in the military. A couple of Paige's friends got to be in the magazine, too, which was pretty neat. :O)


A big thanks to Fresh Style for giving me the honor to work with them so much over these last couple of years. This is the fourth issue that we've had work in, which is so awesome! I'll be giving away a copy of this issue later this week, but I want to add a few more goodies with it first.


OK. So onto other news...

So you all know we are doing foster care. We had a little girl come stay with us for about 8 days and then she left to go to a wonderful, permanent home. We loved having her, and I'll admit, I cried when she left. But we were really happy with the way things turned out for her. Then we had a group of three siblings stay with us for one night, which turned into five days. Again, we just loved them, and again, I cried when the left. (Why do they have to leave??) Then we asked for a little break the next week because I was finishing up the book before the final deadline as well as two projects that I'm contributing to another book and two guest posts for other blogs and I was just. so. tired. Well...apparently foster care doesn't do breaks. Haha. We got a call one afternoon saying that they needed a home for a newborn and could we please pick him up from the hospital in two days? Uh....sure? We were like deer in the headlights!! (Happy deer. Excited deer!) So we scrambled to buy cribs and carseats and clothes and formula and all those other goodies all while spending time with him in the hospital, having family from out of town and finishing all my deadlines. It was the most whirlwind weekend I've ever had. But at the end of it, we had a sweet baby boy.

Of course I told myself what you're probably wanting to tell me right now: "Don't get too attached!" Oh yes! I know all about that. I was mentally preparing myself for that since the moment I heard that we were taking in a newborn. And, of course, I threw it all out the window after about three minutes of holding his cuddly, snuggly little self. My will was no match for his soft, chubby cheeks and tiny little hands that held onto my finger so tightly. I am in love with this little person. :O) So there. Let caution be thrown to the wind and the mommy-love flow freely! Because I think...the mose beautiful kind of love...is given on purpose, even if you know there's a good chance it'll tear your heart out in the end.

So, it's been snuggling and bottle-making and waking up every 1.5 hours and I'm loving it. (Except that last bit. That's not nice.) I wish with all my heart that I could share photos of this kid with you all. SO CUTE this one. I could just kiss his little face until...until forever!!


Also, I'm done with my book. (PARTY TIME!) and then it was my birthday, and my anniversary. That all happened, too. But that's not as exciting as babies!! :O)

I hope each of you is having a great day as you read this. Tomorrow after church we're having a fried chicken potluck at our house and there's nothing wrong with that. I wish I could have the whole church over every day. I LOVE having people at our house. So I'm excited about that. 

Love you!
-Disney


P.S. Since everyone asks how Paige is doing with the new little guy in town, I wanted to share this photo...I asked her to give me a face that describes how she feels about Ace. (We call him "Ace", it's just a nickname.)


I think she likes him! :O)

Comments

  1. How wonderful that you are able to foster children! I would have a hard time as well with all the emotions. I'll pray that he is able to find a permanent home soon!

    Congrats on the book as well!

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  2. When we were beginning our stint as foster parents I was wafflling on whether or not it was the right t hing to do, because I was so afraid of the heartbreak. My husband looked at me and said, "You can never give away too much love." That has stuck with me. All the way through the adoption of our foster child. Praying for you and this sweet little baby.

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  3. Awe. We are foster parents. But since we had a little girl off and on for several years (17 times in three years) we finally just asked to adopt her. When her mom was released from jail and picked her up, my husband lost it. So, sadly we don't foster very much anymore. :( I know how great it is to give them that time. I have told him and myself that at least she knows how it feels to be loved unconditionally and freely. And we also introduced her to church very young. So I am happy about that. We still get to see her around town and I volunteer in her classroom now (we live in a remote small town). :) Happy Baby Fostering! Enjoy.

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  4. Thanks for sharing what has been going on in your life. Congrats on the Fresh Style article. I love seeing Paige in print. You and your family are doing a wonderful thing with fostering the children. Big hugs, Disney.

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  5. So sweet, I know those children are blessed by being in your home.

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  6. "Because I think...the most beautiful kind of love...is given on purpose, even if you know there's a good chance it'll tear your heart out in the end."

    THIS. Oh my goodness, thank you for saying this. It's so true.

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  7. "Because I think...the most beautiful kind of love...is given on purpose, even if you know there's a good chance it'll tear your heart out in the end."

    THIS. Oh my goodness, thank you for saying this. It's so true.

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  8. Oh, Disney! Bless you and your family! As hard as it is for you, it will be even harder for the older child! I speak from experience as the foster child. That explains being insecure for most of my life..never really knowing where I belonged. It was hard! My sister & I moved 13 times in 8 years. I thank the Lord that you can & will love these children. It takes someone very special to be a foster parent. How could you NOT get attached to them when they need you so badly? God bless!!!

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  9. It's because you can love him unconditionally that you were meant to be a foster family. You are so amazing. Bless you and your family.

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    1. Yes, this is absolutely true. What a wonderful blessing to all of you that you are able to do this!

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  10. Your daughter is so cute! Those little baby feet are darling, also. Bless you for taking these children into your home and showing them love for the time they're with you; people like your family are the people who make the world a better place. :)

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  11. Oh how fun to have a newborn in your home, even if it's just for a short time. What amazing people you are to be able to take children into your home.

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  12. Hi Disney! I just wanted to let you know that I'm now following you, ect. ect. I just started blogging about nine months ago with my sister in law, and I'm also from Western WA! We just moved from Spokane about six months ago. I've always thought your picture locations looked familiar...imagine how silly I felt when I realized why! I just wanted to stop by and say hello!

    Jessica of www.domesticblisssquared.com

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  13. hi disney! This is not meant at ALL to be accusatory or disrespectful in any way but just wondering: how come you cannot post pictures of your lovely foster children? just wondering :)

    love your blog and you!
    -Shannon

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  14. love the picture of those new little feet!!! im so proud of your foster journey!!! the friends we have that are doing it are also loving it!

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  15. My aunt has been doing foster care for years, particularly with children from abusive homes. It takes a huge heart! Kudos to you for helping make the world a better place for some precious little ones.

    Suppose Anything Goes

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  16. My heart is so happy for your family! I can't imagine how hard it would be to love and then have to give away but I'm sure there are unseen rewards that are unmeasurable. Oh and cool beans about the magazine article!

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  17. I think she likes him :)))) ha ha :) you guys amazing, funny girl gang.
    http://underthestarsandsun.blogspot.com/

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  18. Wow! Busy lady! I think Miss Paige might like him just a teeny bit. How awesome that he gets to start his life with so much love!

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  19. You are an amzing lady! More precious than rubies and I love your sweet, fresh enthusiasm! May you be blessed for all the amazing things you are doing, they're worth gold in heaven :)

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  20. I´m considering foster parenting and you are a true inspiration, Disney! What's holding me down is that in my country, Portugal, foster children usually end up with the same family for years and you don´t get the chance to adopt them. Emotionaly, is very hard. My husband and I are figuring out if we can handle it.
    Best wishes for you and your family!

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  21. Oh, I almost cried just reading this. That photo of Paige -- oh, lovely. So wonderful that you and your family are spreading your love unconditionally. And I'm impressed that you are accomplishing so much on the crafting side while all the fun baby stuff is going on. Enjoy this special time!

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  22. So awesome. And to answer the earlier question, the state usually does not let you share pictures publically.

    Also, Disney, have you guys thought about foster-adopting? Or are you only fostering? Just a question, which I hope is not too nosy or personal!

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  23. This post (like many, if not all of your posts!) just warmed my heart—thank you for that. :)

    God bless!

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  24. I laughed & got tears in my eyes for my cousin sent me this entry since we do foster care. We also received a newborn & now two years later he is still with us. Lest you think it's been an easy road (which after doing foster care you probably know better than that!) it hasn't and it's still not adoption - however it has been life changing for him and for us. We would do it all again, even knowing the crap (sorry but there were crappy moments with his birth mom) we've gone through. God is faithful. He gives grace enough for those hard times. Foster care is such a worthy ministry. Thank you for answering the call. God bless you as you love & care for Ace, sweet sister in Foster care!!!

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  25. This is so wonderful, Disney. You're always so inspiring. When you turn your time over to God, He makes it all fit, somehow, doesn't He?
    xoxo
    Katy

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  26. I needed your thoughts today, especially those about loving on purpose. Your love makes a difference to those you have the privilege of loving, even if it's only for a day. It is those small memorable moments, when we know someone cared for us, that make all of the difference in life and forever.

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  27. I was just looking through your archives to remember how long you have had Ace, and I found this post, as well as the one here http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2013/07/little-threads-indian-summer.html. With the recent developments about his case moving to adoptions, I'm sure you are all thrilled to the moon and then some that foster care didn't give you the "break" you mentioned in this post :) I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father's hand in my life, and I think He knew why you couldn't have the break that you requested...I love how His plan works for us all! Even the most stressful times can turn into the greatest blessings.

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