This weekend we took the kids for their Easter pictures. We were getting ready to leave the studio and I heard someone say, "Isn't that wonderful, they are getting their foster child's picture taken". Of course this peaked my interested immediately and I turned around to see this older couple with an infant.
When I say older...I mean early 70's...and sure enough the Foster Mom was holding an infant seat with a 6-week old baby boy.
I introduced myself and asked for which agency they fostered (Children's Division through the state). The Mom proudly told me that this was their 110th foster child!!! Isn't that amazing!! This wonderful couple has opened their home and hearts to 110 children in need of a safe place to live. She said most of the kids they care for are drug-exposed in the womb...as was this little guy.
I asked how they could take care of so many children of the years only to see them leave to return to their parents, or extended family or go to other placements? Well, thankfully they didn't always have to say goodbye, in fact they had adopted three of their own over the years!
She said a lot has changed since they started fostering. The best part is that children stay with them for shorter periods of time. Most of those kids return home or are adopted by other families. With the good has come some bad. They said more of the kids they foster are drug-exposed. Babies that are drug-exposed in the womb come with a variety of health issues, including difficulty sleeping and often cry for no reason at all as they bodies are litterally being weaned off the drugs.
Working for a children's social service agency, you hear the stories about these types of kids everyday. On most days, we have infants and other small children in our office that are being fostered by families supported by our programs and staff. But something really touched me about this couple...who could easily have hung up their foster hats long ago.
But here they were on a Sunday afternoon at the JC Penney's portrait studios making sure that little 6-week old Devon had a baby picture in his memory book.
God Bless this couple and the wonderful work they do each and every day.
April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month....please keep these children and those like the foster family I met in your prayers. They are truly doing God's work!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Caves, Crawls and City Museum...Oh My!
This past year for Christmas, Robb's sister, Bekkie, got the kids gift certificates to City Museum in downtown St. Louis. Greatest gift ever!!!
The last time we went, Luke was just 11 months old...and the last time Robb and I were there was for the World Series party in 2006 (awesome, amazing night!!).
Last weekend was a beautiful Saturday, so we decided to use the certificates. I know...I said it was beautiful outside....why would we take the kids to a "museum"?!
Well, City Museum isn't like anything you've ever seen. They have a HUGE outdoor "playground". It's made of recycled building materials...even a couple small airplanes. Seriously! There is a turret with a lookout, lots of slides and tons of things to crawl up, around, through and down. It's so cool.
The inside, which is an old factory has three floors of even more cool stuff.
After we arrived Luke made a bee line to the first tunnel he saw. And being the good Mom I am..I was crawling right behind him.
The first tunnel dropped us out by a huge tank with fish and turtles...two of Luke's favorite things.
Next we were off to the caves. I don't know how they created these, but you really feel like you are walking around a real cave. The temperature is cool and there are little streams. This was a big hit, too!
Kate, however, was not impressed with all of this...but she looked so darn cute!
The last part of the day we spent making some lovely art pieces. One of the activities was to make Mardi Gras masks. Luke choose the goat.
And I helped Kate make a butterfly mask.
After 3 1/2 hours, we had to call it quits...that and Chimichanga's was calling our names! Good day...looking forward to going back once Kate can walk around. The place isn't the best place for strollers!
The last time we went, Luke was just 11 months old...and the last time Robb and I were there was for the World Series party in 2006 (awesome, amazing night!!).
Last weekend was a beautiful Saturday, so we decided to use the certificates. I know...I said it was beautiful outside....why would we take the kids to a "museum"?!
Well, City Museum isn't like anything you've ever seen. They have a HUGE outdoor "playground". It's made of recycled building materials...even a couple small airplanes. Seriously! There is a turret with a lookout, lots of slides and tons of things to crawl up, around, through and down. It's so cool.
The inside, which is an old factory has three floors of even more cool stuff.
After we arrived Luke made a bee line to the first tunnel he saw. And being the good Mom I am..I was crawling right behind him.
The first tunnel dropped us out by a huge tank with fish and turtles...two of Luke's favorite things.
Next we were off to the caves. I don't know how they created these, but you really feel like you are walking around a real cave. The temperature is cool and there are little streams. This was a big hit, too!
Kate, however, was not impressed with all of this...but she looked so darn cute!
The last part of the day we spent making some lovely art pieces. One of the activities was to make Mardi Gras masks. Luke choose the goat.
And I helped Kate make a butterfly mask.After 3 1/2 hours, we had to call it quits...that and Chimichanga's was calling our names! Good day...looking forward to going back once Kate can walk around. The place isn't the best place for strollers!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Charitable Donations
At work last week we received an email from AFP about a proposed plan from President Obama that would limit the amount of charitable deductions for those who make more than $250,000. I know..boo hoo those people.
Problem is...those folks use that wealth to donate to non profits like the one I work for...these families are crucial to our fundraising success.
Any hoodle...I was moved to share an email I sent the White House. The last time I wrote to the White House was when I was 15-years-old. I was all riled up about Bill Clinton and the budget...I can't even remember the details. Back then it was a MAILED letter and I remember getting a form letter about "the youth being involved in gov't and how great that was" and an 8x10 glossy of President Clinton! My Dad was so moved by the entire thing he bought me a fancy word processor....you know...not really a typewriter....but not a computer. I thought I was MS. JOURNALIST!!
So here is the email...
President Obama & Advisors,
I write you today in hopes that you will reconsider your current plan that would limit the value of the tax break for itemized deductions, including donations to charity, to 28 percent for families making more than $250,000.
A decrease in the deductions would put a chilling affect on charitable donations. While you say it will affect a small percentage of the population, it is that small population that funds so many of the wonderful non profits around this country.
This passage would affect me, my company and my community. I work for one of the largest, children's service agency in the state - Boys & Girls Town of Missouri. The care and treatment programs we offer touch the lives of children who suffer severe emotional and behavioral problems. These kids often have been abused and neglected.
State & National government payments make up just 65% of our budget. The rest must be raised by a staff of 17 very dedicated fundraisers and our volunteer board and trustees
I am one of those fundraisers.
For the past six and a half year I meet and work closely with many of the families that donate funds that help us make up that 35% difference. They are wonderful people. They work hard, work for businesses that are very supportive in their own right, and give generously to us each year. Many of them would be affected by this charitable deduction change.
Not only would it limit our agency’s ability to raise crucial funds, but all the other wonderful non profits in our city. I would hope it wouldn't come down to the families have to decide which non profits are more important.
St. Louis is historically an extremely generous community. We support hundreds of local non profits. I hope that you and your administration let that tradition continue so that services like the ones my agency provides reach the children and families that rely on these programs.
Thank you.
Problem is...those folks use that wealth to donate to non profits like the one I work for...these families are crucial to our fundraising success.
Any hoodle...I was moved to share an email I sent the White House. The last time I wrote to the White House was when I was 15-years-old. I was all riled up about Bill Clinton and the budget...I can't even remember the details. Back then it was a MAILED letter and I remember getting a form letter about "the youth being involved in gov't and how great that was" and an 8x10 glossy of President Clinton! My Dad was so moved by the entire thing he bought me a fancy word processor....you know...not really a typewriter....but not a computer. I thought I was MS. JOURNALIST!!
So here is the email...
President Obama & Advisors,
I write you today in hopes that you will reconsider your current plan that would limit the value of the tax break for itemized deductions, including donations to charity, to 28 percent for families making more than $250,000.
A decrease in the deductions would put a chilling affect on charitable donations. While you say it will affect a small percentage of the population, it is that small population that funds so many of the wonderful non profits around this country.
This passage would affect me, my company and my community. I work for one of the largest, children's service agency in the state - Boys & Girls Town of Missouri. The care and treatment programs we offer touch the lives of children who suffer severe emotional and behavioral problems. These kids often have been abused and neglected.
State & National government payments make up just 65% of our budget. The rest must be raised by a staff of 17 very dedicated fundraisers and our volunteer board and trustees
I am one of those fundraisers.
For the past six and a half year I meet and work closely with many of the families that donate funds that help us make up that 35% difference. They are wonderful people. They work hard, work for businesses that are very supportive in their own right, and give generously to us each year. Many of them would be affected by this charitable deduction change.
Not only would it limit our agency’s ability to raise crucial funds, but all the other wonderful non profits in our city. I would hope it wouldn't come down to the families have to decide which non profits are more important.
St. Louis is historically an extremely generous community. We support hundreds of local non profits. I hope that you and your administration let that tradition continue so that services like the ones my agency provides reach the children and families that rely on these programs.
Thank you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Chuck E. Cheese Extravaganza!
This past Sunday we had the privilege of hanging out with our good friends the Morra's. Between both of our families busy schedules it seems we only get to hang out a few times a year...even though they live just 45 minutes away!
Sunday we met up at Chuck E. Cheese in Fairview Heights. We'd been holding off on taking Luke...the whole giant Chuck E. in a rat suit kind of scares the kid...much like Fredbird and Red Robin do!
After much reassurance that Chuck E. would not be walking around, he got down from the booth and started playing all the games. He had a really great time.
I don't think I've been to that place since it was Showbiz back in my day! My parents used to take me there all the time! I loved skee ball and if you pulled just right...the machine would give you a few extra tickets! At the end of the night and after you couldn't get your parents to buy you any more tokens, it was time to count your tickets...well not anymore. Now they have machines call "Ticket Munchers". It counts your tickets, while cutting them up and then it prints a receipt with your ticket count.
Luke fell in love with skee ball too. He was really good! Give that boy a ball and that's the end of it!
We also got to celebrate a belated birthday with Luke Morra. He turned 2 in February! Hard to believe. Here's the little guy playing one of the games for the little dudes. He was really good at it and figured out how to drop the eggs in the baskets!
Hi, my name is Nick and I'm a male model! Look at that sweet face. Nick isn't a fan of Chuck E. either, so he and Luke could commiserate!
We had such a great day with the Morra's!
P.S. Little Luke had a Chuck E. sighting and he was not in the mood for the paparazzi!
Sunday we met up at Chuck E. Cheese in Fairview Heights. We'd been holding off on taking Luke...the whole giant Chuck E. in a rat suit kind of scares the kid...much like Fredbird and Red Robin do!
After much reassurance that Chuck E. would not be walking around, he got down from the booth and started playing all the games. He had a really great time.
I don't think I've been to that place since it was Showbiz back in my day! My parents used to take me there all the time! I loved skee ball and if you pulled just right...the machine would give you a few extra tickets! At the end of the night and after you couldn't get your parents to buy you any more tokens, it was time to count your tickets...well not anymore. Now they have machines call "Ticket Munchers". It counts your tickets, while cutting them up and then it prints a receipt with your ticket count.
Luke fell in love with skee ball too. He was really good! Give that boy a ball and that's the end of it!
We also got to celebrate a belated birthday with Luke Morra. He turned 2 in February! Hard to believe. Here's the little guy playing one of the games for the little dudes. He was really good at it and figured out how to drop the eggs in the baskets!
Hi, my name is Nick and I'm a male model! Look at that sweet face. Nick isn't a fan of Chuck E. either, so he and Luke could commiserate!
We had such a great day with the Morra's!P.S. Little Luke had a Chuck E. sighting and he was not in the mood for the paparazzi!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Mom's & Muffins
Last Friday was Mom & Muffin's at Luke's school. This fun little morning allows all the Mom's to accompany their kiddos for the first hour of school...and of course yummy muffins!
It was so much fun to hang out with Luke and the rest of the kids. They were so excited to have us there. We read books, painted pictures and had marble races! When you're there you really realize they have this whole little life that doesn't involve you.
He's doing really well in school. He's writing the entire alphabet now in succession (brought home his first sample on Thursday!). He's obsessed with spelling and loves you to spell out words to him! And of course he's a social butterfly....much like his mother! The kids are always (and when I say kids...I mean the girls!) happy to see him in the morning. All in all...he loves school!
Luke's first parent-teacher conference is next week. I hope (and am expecting) an excellent report!
It was so much fun to hang out with Luke and the rest of the kids. They were so excited to have us there. We read books, painted pictures and had marble races! When you're there you really realize they have this whole little life that doesn't involve you.
He's doing really well in school. He's writing the entire alphabet now in succession (brought home his first sample on Thursday!). He's obsessed with spelling and loves you to spell out words to him! And of course he's a social butterfly....much like his mother! The kids are always (and when I say kids...I mean the girls!) happy to see him in the morning. All in all...he loves school!
Luke's first parent-teacher conference is next week. I hope (and am expecting) an excellent report!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Kate's New Look & Must See TV
Thursdays.....they are an odd day in our family. Every other we are minus a kiddo. Gotta love custody agreements....
Well this Thursday we were down a 4-year-old. Because of that I always try to schedule my haircuts....just easier on everyone that way...my luscious locks don't come easily you know! Just kidding. Because of scheduling Robb and I were both due for cuts. And that meant Kate was with us, too.
If you've seen the little monkey lately you'll notice the nice comb over she's workin'. She pulls it off...it shows off those chubby little cheeks of hers. She literally had these long strand of her original new born hair going down the top center of her head....literally a comb over! God love her, a little wind and it sent the hairs swirling all over the top of her head. When it would dry after her tubby she looked like a rooster. All in all....it was getting a little out of hand.
So tonight...we cut! We'll not we...it was Heather...the Wilson Family Stylist!
I wish I had before and after pictures. It was kind of an impromtu cut...so I don't have pictures of the actualy cut. I know...bad mom!
Once we finally got home we settled down for the most important night in TV.....Survivor....The Office...30 Rock....Grey's Anatomy and ER. Our poor Tivo gets a workout! Grey's was sooooo good. Derrick is falling apart this time...but Mer is going to stick this time and not get all dark and twisty...she's going to stay bright and shiny and help Der get out of his funk. Man when he hit that diamond ring with the baseball bat I litterally jumped.....that whole scene at the trailer was soooo good. Grey's is BACK!!! And ER....I know a lot of you have probalby given up on the show....but I've stayed with it all these years and let me tell you they have gone above and beyond this season. The stories have been crisp and sooooo entringuing. Tonight was the big pay off. It was like ER circa 1996.....Carter, Doug, Carol, Benton....the whole gang was there. It was beautiful and poignant. Loved. It.
Okay...enough TV crap (I should have been cleaning my kitchen tonight...all be told!).
XO
Jennifer
Well this Thursday we were down a 4-year-old. Because of that I always try to schedule my haircuts....just easier on everyone that way...my luscious locks don't come easily you know! Just kidding. Because of scheduling Robb and I were both due for cuts. And that meant Kate was with us, too.
If you've seen the little monkey lately you'll notice the nice comb over she's workin'. She pulls it off...it shows off those chubby little cheeks of hers. She literally had these long strand of her original new born hair going down the top center of her head....literally a comb over! God love her, a little wind and it sent the hairs swirling all over the top of her head. When it would dry after her tubby she looked like a rooster. All in all....it was getting a little out of hand.
So tonight...we cut! We'll not we...it was Heather...the Wilson Family Stylist!
I wish I had before and after pictures. It was kind of an impromtu cut...so I don't have pictures of the actualy cut. I know...bad mom!
Once we finally got home we settled down for the most important night in TV.....Survivor....The Office...30 Rock....Grey's Anatomy and ER. Our poor Tivo gets a workout! Grey's was sooooo good. Derrick is falling apart this time...but Mer is going to stick this time and not get all dark and twisty...she's going to stay bright and shiny and help Der get out of his funk. Man when he hit that diamond ring with the baseball bat I litterally jumped.....that whole scene at the trailer was soooo good. Grey's is BACK!!! And ER....I know a lot of you have probalby given up on the show....but I've stayed with it all these years and let me tell you they have gone above and beyond this season. The stories have been crisp and sooooo entringuing. Tonight was the big pay off. It was like ER circa 1996.....Carter, Doug, Carol, Benton....the whole gang was there. It was beautiful and poignant. Loved. It.
Okay...enough TV crap (I should have been cleaning my kitchen tonight...all be told!).
XO
Jennifer
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Hello my name is Jennifer and I'm addicted to Craig's List
Have you ever "shopped" craigslist.com? You should. Need to get rid of an extra washer...sell it for free on Craig's List. Need to find a cute little bookshelf for $10....look on Craig's List. The site is like Goodwill/Salvation Army at it's very junky best! But as my cousin Sarah called it "instant shopping gratification!". I'm all over that.
The site is regionalized, so when you can search for stuff in St. Louis or Cape Girardeau or Denver. It's really great. Listings include everything you could ever think of!
We've been in our house two years this month and have found ourselves still needing a few things to complete our home. Considering we can't/shouldn't go out and buy brand new stuff...and why should we...I see this as my way of being green and recyling other's people's junk...so I started scouring Craig's list for some deals. As I shared earlier, we finally found a china cabninet...the first Craig's purchase.
This is my second little gem...a round, oak dining room table! Taaaadaaa!
Please ignore the dust on the chairs! Yikes. But you get the gist. It's still a little dirty...and I'm more than likely painting it...a creamy white probably.
I'm so excited! Our old table was a hand-me-down from Robb's apartment. It was rickety and didn't fit in our dining room very well. The round table fits much better and it has a leaf for when we have extra guests.
I hope to get on the ball soon and start some painting projects. I'll share the finished projects later.
Goodnight.
Jennifer
The site is regionalized, so when you can search for stuff in St. Louis or Cape Girardeau or Denver. It's really great. Listings include everything you could ever think of!
We've been in our house two years this month and have found ourselves still needing a few things to complete our home. Considering we can't/shouldn't go out and buy brand new stuff...and why should we...I see this as my way of being green and recyling other's people's junk...so I started scouring Craig's list for some deals. As I shared earlier, we finally found a china cabninet...the first Craig's purchase.
This is my second little gem...a round, oak dining room table! Taaaadaaa!
Please ignore the dust on the chairs! Yikes. But you get the gist. It's still a little dirty...and I'm more than likely painting it...a creamy white probably.
I'm so excited! Our old table was a hand-me-down from Robb's apartment. It was rickety and didn't fit in our dining room very well. The round table fits much better and it has a leaf for when we have extra guests.
I hope to get on the ball soon and start some painting projects. I'll share the finished projects later.
Goodnight.
Jennifer
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