On Christmas and The Flu

Unfortunately all my dreams of an entire day of playing with new toys and eating all the sugar my belly can take were short lived after a little encounter with the flu bug on Christmas. 18 hours of my day/night was spent sleeping, however I did press through to watch gifts being opened by nine littles and that was a sweet time, pile of kleenexes and all. I am going to miss this life in the country with eleven, going to miss it so very much.

After sleeping it off and fever breaking I woke up the next day just in time to spend some time with my best friend expecting twins in a couple of months! What a blessing that time was. They make me want to be pregnant. I'm telling ya what...I think this is the year of meeting my hubby. Maybe just maybe. 

Feeling those boys kick was the most incredible moment. I couldn't get enough. This mamma-to-be has walked through so much life with me and now two boys...blessed boys they are. Cannot wait to meet you Silas and Elijah. 

I think I was expecting this Christmas to be really emotional for some reason...knowing it is some of my last days in family life before moving out on my own...knowing it is just about a year since moving here and being so overwhlemed by all God has done....knowing my own dad is still in rehab--and still sober....knowing that God has so gracefully softened my heart twords my dad....knowing that the Lord is allowing me to feel uncomfortable in having no idea what this year will bring....knowing that Christ was born that He might die that I might live....knowing that one day the trumpets will sound and He will come once again.

And yes, while confined to the four walls of my room in silence thinking about all of this combined on Christmas evening I found myself heeped over my pillow snot pouring and tears flooding my face. And that was all short lived because my head felt like it might blow up from the crying--so I just had to be tough and pull it together.

I just had to trust when nothing in me felt like it. 

I just had to be still and know.

God's grace I think, abundant grace this Christmas.

Yes, this hat was in my stocking. And yes I got tears when I saw it. Proud to be a country girl. 

I adore this picture. I got him Duck Dynasty Season 1 and Mamma thought it was hilarious. 

They make me want to be married so badly. 

I made the girls these legit coupon books...one fun date with me every month for the year. Midnight Waffle House runs, rolls of cookie dough, tennis lessons, Love Comes Softly Movie Marathons.

And they thought they could get rid of me...

Love these little sisters. 

                                      Had to post this one too...boys and their guns. #countrylife

                                                                  Twin bump beauty

Little Fourth of July Blessing

Welcome to the World Baby Girl!!

Rozlyn Pauline Foster 

July 4th, 2012

                    For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

~ Psalm 139:13 

“We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him.”  – I Samuel 1:27

Age and Simon,

You did it!! Age, after enduring several days of labor you are a champ!! She is incredible and beautiful, a testimony to His faithfulness in your lives, in bringing you together, in patiently and joyfully trusting His perfect timing, in preparing to raise her to know Christ above all else. I know everyone has been waiting for this little miracle baby for awhile now—He is faithful! Wow. I am excited for you two as you step into this new life of raising this precious little one. Undoubtably, she has two pretty awesome parents and tons of family and friends in love with her from the moment she was conceived. She has no idea how blessed she is to call you mom and dad. Congrats, momma and daddy!!! So excited to see the way the Lord uses this little one in the years to come. Rejoicing with you!

Proud Uncle in love with new baby

Cousins and best friends without a doubt.

Kisses, lots of kisses.

Proud Aunt Ali—in love with lil Roz.

Such a blessing to hold this little one.

Of course, Uncle Anthony has to meet her via incredible technology! 

Mr. & Mrs. Luster, get ready your turn next! 

And of course we had to watch some fireworks since it was the 4th of July!!

So blessed by this big sis. Love her so much.

Auntie Ash and lil Aubry who is getting so big!!!

Precious.

So incredibly thankful for and blessed by this King/Luster/Herron/Foster family. 

4th of July Treat

 

 Ingredients:

2 pints strawberries, sliced

2 pints blueberries

10 oz angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes*

For the cream filling:

• 6 tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk (I used Borden Eagle)
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 package sugar-free white chocolate instant pudding mix
• 12 oz fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

Whisk the condensed milk and water in a bowl. Whisk in the pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set; fold in the whipped topping.

Arrange half of the cake in the bottom of a 14-cup trifle dish.

Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries.
Spread half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread (I piped it using a plastic bag and cut the corner off).
Top with a layer of strawberries.
Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then add more blueberries and top with the remaining cream mixture.
Finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a pretty pattern. Cover and refridgerate at least 1 hour.