Stacey stuff.

Every year since a nurse handed me a pink bundle of joy, I have been spoiled two weekends in a row in May. How would anyone not love that? 

Mother's Day I was woken to breakfast-in-bed. The girls found lots of blackberry bushes in the field next to us and decided to put them into some pancakes (aaaww). Hannah wove me a handmade basket at school (their art teacher rocks) and filled it with coupons to help around the house (yeees!) and Lauren gave me a sweet handmade Mom mug. Loooove handmade-from-the-heart gifts. Although, I didn't hesitate taking the pair of fancy designer jeans Josh gave me. Did I mention...spoiled? 

Who puts a picture of when they first wake up on their blog? Well, here goes. I'm brave. (yikes.)

My 30-whaaat? birthday was filled with emotions of mom's moving day, family, gifts-n-greetings from friends, great dinner and the surprise of a new mountain bike. (Ah, the surprises lately!) Here's a pic of the gang for both of my special days...

Since this post is titled "Stacey stuff"...let me add a couple more pictures. (Then, I am done posting for a bit, folks.)

Did you see Extreme Home Makeover Show on May 2nd? Go here if you'd like to see it. This episode made me teary more than any other. The Carr family is incredible. The parents. The adorable kids. What a privilege it was to be a small part of making all their dreams come true.

I surprisingly got in one of the shots! I couldn't believe it, was super excited, but felt kinda bad actually. Of all the painters/workers that worked sooooo much harder and longer than me... I felt so undeserving.

Here's a picture of my 5-second shot of painting. (Hannah was proud...ha!)

An ABC superstar? Well, hey...why not?

Colorado-bound.

The past couple months have had its share of twists and turns. 

It's time to tell everyone what's up with the Foster fam. 

Josh has been working as a safety guy and marketing man for my Dad's company. He's been with ETOX for 5 years. In January, ETOX was sold to a much bigger company called Matheson Tri-Gas. With this, came big change for everyone. It was actually something that my Dad had in his plans for the future of the company and apparently, it was just time. 

One day Josh's boss asked him,"How would like to move to Colorado?" Huuuuh? Did he know that this has been a hearts desire of ours for a couple years? Nope. They need help at the Denver branch and he thought about Josh. 

Several big bosses, meetings, dinners, a visit out there last week, and a job was offered. Pretty much landing flat into his lap. Huge job. They are confident in him managing all Colorado and New Mexico branches (yes, even Santa Fe!). Mainly based in Denver though where Steve (my bro), Heather and angel Tristan are.

So, we're movin' to the mountains.

(oh, you better promise to come visit us...all friends here will be dearly missed...don't get my tears started!)

Our house will be up for sale next week. (...wiping brow, whew!)

Mom sold her house here in perfect timing to start a new life in Colorado. She will move into the adorable home she has been building there next week. 

 I know- freaky timing, really.

What did we do to deserve this?

Family. Opportunity. A bazillion awesome things to do. Mountains. Snow. Great schools. Baby Tristan!

Castle Rock, Colorado here we come.

Alright, we are: nervous, emotional, busy and stressed... but crazy excited, hopeful and full of God's grace and direction. He is lovingly unfolding a new journey before us. We are leaning into it deeply and confidently. A journey that was unexpected, yet in His plans all along, and we are just going with it all in faith. 

Looking forward to the incredible moments and adventures that living can bring. 

How can we resist?

Busy. Part 2.

Besides work, painting, school stuff, home stuff... this... that (and some big changes ahead) we keep going and going...and going. It's sometimes just a bit too much, really. Feeling frenzied and exhausted at times but taking the time to BREATHE and loving the days that are so graciously given to us.

Soccer practice-n-games.

Tears saying goodbye to our hamster "Tootles".

Polly growing.

Lettuce growing. (not of my doing for sure)

Our garden "Herb" has been severely neglected, but spring suprisingly brought lettuce. 

Busy. Part 1

The girls dance recital this weekend was titled "When I grow up..." and it was a great theme and a great (and very fast) year at dance. Hannah jiggled and jammed doing hip-hop and Lauren jazzed doing....jazz.

We sat there so proud watching them and I often wondered to myself, "when I grow up, I want to be..?" Still wondering about that myself.

Speaking of growing up. My birthday has been the LAST thing on my mind. It's not until the middle of May. Not for Josh. Was I missing something? He decided to lovingly throw me a surprise party Saturday night! He concocted this big (kinda messed up) scheme to get me outta the house and later I opened the door COMPLETELY unexpected to find 40-some people in our house yelling "SURPRISE!" 

Whaaaaaat? I was dumb-founded. Shocked. Emotional. He pulled another one on me. Apparently, my husband likes to surprise me big lately. It ended up being such a beautiful evening with incredible friends, yummy food and fun by a bonfire. 

I loved it and certainly felt so loved and incredibly blessed. (But not a year older quite yet!)

Just Josh.

Here I go again, a to-be-continued...continuing. I have been in "blog world" on Monday's lately and I'm a tad late, but...

Josh.
How can I begin, really?

First of all (I know, another "first of all...") there is no way that I can even begin to put any words together for him that remotely measures up to my heart for him. He's the man of my life, the dream father of my children and my bestest friend.

We share heartbeats I think.

He finishes (or starts) my words and thoughts for me.

We share an intimate world that just belongs to us.

He's in the smile I smile every day and a strength or comfort in the moments that aren't very smiley.

A simple guy that knows what's important. He can be giddy like a schoolboy, funny as all get out, loveable and sensitive but also encompasses so much depth, wisdom and integrity.

(oh, I know you love that I put this crazy pic of you on here...ha.)

It's a life and love that is pure, right, and connected at a level that is only from God.

22 years and counting, babe. The best has only started to begin.

xo. xo. xo.

A little about Lauren.

Okay, I suppose I am on a roll here with blogging about my sweetie's.

You might know this one. She is a forever blonde-headed darling of a soul.

Quiet, introverted, fearful and not much to say or smile about.
Ah, but not so. Not so. It's all a misinterpretation you see...

Let me get this straight.

First of all, Lauren loves everyone whole. With all her heart. She wears her heart on her sleeve all the time. She writes notes and leaves them EVERYWHERE in case you didn't hear her or she wants to tell you something. Seriously, e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.

She really has no fear. I think I have mentioned in here that she has never been fearful of creepy, crawly creatures of the land. In fact just last week she said in the calmest voice..."Daddy, there's a snake in our hall." (Who does that?) And indeed, there was a slithery, tongue-whipping SNAKE IN OUR HALL!

(I will spare you the picture of the slimy thing.)

She'll go past the limits and be the first to try without hesitation. I know you don't see this, but trust me...we do! We were talking about getting the girls on some skies this winter and mentioned that Aunt Heather (of whom is awesome on a snowboard) can teach her to snowboard. "What do you think about that, Lauren?" She says, "No. I will just teach myself."

She has the wildest, tenderest imagination and is crazy smart.

Thinks on her own. Especially with her wardrobe. (Oh yes- quite a Mommy/Lauren battle at times.)

Sensitive? Yes. Stubborn? Yes. Crazy in love with a furry thing we call Polly? Oh yes.

A heart full to give? A snuggler? Funny? Yeppers.

She's a Momma's-girl you can say. I love our connection. I love her for who she is and excited for who she is becoming. 

I love her smile that is as big as a watermelon slice and her giggle that lights up the day.

                                    So in love with every bit.

ps. I guess I will continue the pattern here. Next time it is the fabulous man of my life (that someone I call Josh). 

Today.

                            It's  just another ordinary  miracle today.

April happenings with Hannah

Hannah working so diligently on her Easter egg decorations (you know how we love traditions in our fam). She always puts a little "extra" into everything she does. Check out the concentration- ha.

                                        

I need to start slipping her a dollar or two because she walks (uh, rather runs) Polly to tire her out often for me after school and...even in an Easter outfit.

Every girl should have a big sis like Hannah.

Being that she is sweeter than honey, she doesn't really have an aggressive bone in her body. She just loves getting out there on the soccer field with her bff... wind in her hair...sun on her cheeks... and having F-U-N.

Okay- a monumental day. The first time baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies all by herself. (And even that awful part of cleaning up too, ya know.) They were delicious. Swim suit season coming up for Momma? Ah, forget it.

(know you are reading this, H...love you...xo)

This little girl of ours in not really much of a little girl anymore. She is learning about the world around her and discovering and learning about herself daily. 

I bought a smallish shirt for myself the other day and Hannah tried it on last night. It fit perfect-n-looked adorable. She's wearing it to school today. 

(sniff. sniff.)

I want to freeze her.

WHAaaaaT? WELL.... SHE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO GROW UP!! 

What a precious gift and honor to be a part of this as a mother and friend. 

Hannah is every dream I could have ever imagined in a daughter.

I never knew that a big part of my heart was missing until she came along. 

Along came Polly.

Our new baby (seriously) Polly has been getting adjusted to us... and us to her these past weeks. All of you that have had a puppy in the house for a period of time know about the all the joys and hardships of this!

The Polly-potty-training is in full force (ugh!) and she has discovered her voice (another- ugh!) but overall she is the sweet new fluffy princess in our house. Daddy walks (sometimes drags; oh don't call him into the Puppy Protection Agency for it-ha!) her in the early morning to tucker her out and she is understanding the rules of the house with some patience and obedience about it all.

So you want to know more? (Probably not, but she is now a part of the Foster house...so too bad. LOL.)

                                            Bath time. (how pathetic!)

                                       Post-bathtime (loves the hairdryer)

She's all personality.

Cherishes her toys and playing soccer outside.

Couch time and anyone to snuggle with? She's there.

She sleeps on her back (and snores) with her belly stickin' in the air.

Belts out a hearty burp after every meal.

Cocks her head every time she's intrigued by something.

We are crazy about her sweet kisses and when she prays with the girls at nighttime... (no kiddin'!)

(okay- I have to admit, the preciousness of this picture kinda makes up for all the pooping and peeing on the kitchen floor, and carpet, and....!)

What to do? SpRiNg BrEaK?

Lazy on the warm, white sand...breezes...a good book...sipping on something with an umbrella in it??

Heck, I need to snap out of it!

Spring is bursting out a bit here and we can certainly find some Spring Break things to do in East Texas. (Although, uuuuuh the beach sounds so nice right now.)

We were saying a happy "hello" to Mr. Sunshine this week. We've missed you!

What was happening for Spring Break at the Foster's:

~some hotel swimming
~celebrating late and early birthdays
~eating out (who doesn't love this; especially the female chef of the house!)
~"dates" with Gramma and Grandpa
~slippin' and slidin' at The Villages waterpark
~"window shopping" (hee hee.) on Knox Street
~art/painting on the driveway
~sweet Lauren's first little piano recital (with trophy and all)
~a Dallas football stadium tour (the guys said is was aaawesome!)
~the girls loved the American Girl store in the big D
~nail painting, movie watching, bike riding, board games, playin' with pals...
~most important of all, the girls loved the week long visit with Gramma and Grandpa from Ohio...

You might wonder why I regularly document happenings on here (not just for family and friends who live far to see pictures, etc). Well, I just got the cutest book. It was so easy. I went to blog2print.com. I clicked. I ordered. A week later we got this 96-page beautifully printed hardcover book of 2008-2009. A precious journal to cherish and to last a lifetime!

The memories and the love that is shared is what these days and weeks (and years) are all about. They certainly fly by too fast not to remember them!