Monday, July 26, 2010

Welcome to the jungle...

We got fun & games
We got everything you want
Honey, we know the names
-Guns n' Roses, Welcome to the Jungle

You found us!! Welcome to the new home of all the news from the Foster foursome. We will now return to your regularly scheduled bloggin fun & games, adorable kid pics, and updates of all kinds.

Thanks for following us here!

It's time to move on...

Monday Jul 26, 2010

It's time to move on...

...It's time to get goin'
What lies ahead I have no way of knowin'
But under my feet, baby, grass is growin'
Time to move on, time to get goin'
-Tom Petty, Time to Move On

The time has come ... the blog is moving on. I have wanted to do this for a while, and now it looks like WolfBlogs is forcing me to. As a blogging platform, this is pretty basic. (Ummm, yeah.) There are lots more options in terms of layout, background, and cute factor at blogspot (Google's blogger) or WordPress or Xanga. Since apparently me and Dr. Greene are the only ones at NC State who regularly used WolfBlogs and other places do it better for free, it's gotten too expensive for the University to maintain.

So, come visit Torquil and CheezeDoodle at our new blogging home:

http://www.torquilandcheezedoodle.blogspot.com/

All my old stuff is there, and let me just tell you what a pain in the you-know-what it has been to move it all over. See, there are a couple of different ways to migrate blog content using RSS or Atom (I say that like I have some clue what that really means). However, none of the comments would be migrated, and none of the links or images. Your comments are the most important part of the blog to me. So, the only option was the time intensive method - copy and paste. Each and every single post, beginning in August 2007, and continuing through the 132nd post last week. That's a lot of words! And a LOT of comments!

It's not too pretty yet. For the moment I'm sticking with my basic light blue scheme, but I have grand plans for family pics, background, links to my fave blogs ... all the things that make blogs fun to read. So stay tuned. And keep commenting - because really, they mean a lot to me.



Posted at 09:29PM Jul 26, 2010 by Jen Foster in General | Comments[0]

Monday, July 12, 2010

It's a magic kind of medicine...

Monday Jul 12, 2010

It's a magic kind of medicine...

...that no doctor could prescribe
But there's this one particular harbor
Sheltered from the wind
Where the children play on the shore each day
And all are safe within
-Jimmy Buffett, One Particular Harbor

These past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for all of us. The beach beckoned for July 4th weekend, and we answered the call. The beach is good medicine for the soul. I've been trying all week to upload a couple of cute pics but apparently WolfBlogs is no longer accepting photo uploads. You'll just have to imagine how adorable Jay looked as captain of Popper's ship and how relaxed Mr. Luke was in the hammock swing. HIS hammock swing. We spent more time at the canal than on the beach, but it didn't matter - we were able to get away from it all for a few days and it was wonderful.

So while we still have our ups and downs, each of us in our own way is coming to a sense of peace about surgery. I'm trusting that Jay is going to be okay - is going to be healed. That kind of peace comes only from God and it's an answer to the many many prayers that you all have been offered for our family. For that, I am truly thankful.

After feeling like everything in our lives was hanging in the balance, we finally got a surgery date nailed down - August 11. We'll go up to CHOP on Sunday August 8 and have pre-op and an appointment with the surgeon on Monday the 9th. While a month seems very, very far away, it also means that we have a month of summer to enjoy as a family. We're making a list of fun things we want to do and we're packing every day with those fun things.

This weekend, Derek and Jay went to their first Lowe's Build & Grow event, which Jay has been talking about ever since. He's borderline obsessive about tools and will tell you in no uncertain terms that these are needle-nose pliers, and those are regular pliers. And yes, he can identify a conduit bender - just prepping for his career as an electrician! But now he's got street cred with his official Lowe's tool apron and the patch to prove that he made his own ball & cup toy. I see many more patches in our future.

And today, we did something even more exciting - we went to pick blueberries! My dad's former colleague has an awesome little farm near Carrboro and she graciously invited us to pick some blueberries. Not sure she was prepared for the fact that our lil' man could eat his weight in blueberries, but she was certainly impressed at his ability to clear a blueberry bush. Not ripe yet? No problem! He eats 'em all.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and love. Your support is what has allowed us to find these moments of joy in a very stressful time.

Posted at 05:13AM Jul 12, 2010 by Jen Foster in General | Comments[11]
Comments:

Glad to hear another one joined the ranks as a Lowe's team member! And I am smiling about the blueberries thinking about Jay eating the green strawberries, as well. Sounds like you all are having lots of fun!

Posted by Lisa on July 12, 2010 at 08:13 AM EDT #

I had forgotten that he couldn't stop eating the green strawberries! Guess he's a big fan of underripe fruit. Who knew?!

Posted by Jen on July 12, 2010 at 08:43 AM EDT #

He is definitely one special little boy. Most 2 year olds are learning their ABC's and numbers. Although, you didn't mention that, so it doesn't mean he hasn't learned or is learning them, but to know tools better than some adults (me), well, lets just say, it will make an interesting first day in kindergarten. :)

Posted by Great Aunt Ali on July 12, 2010 at 10:27 AM EDT #

Jen,
So we were really on the same writing theme with the Holden Beach is good for the soul! Yay for a date for the surgery. All of you are in my prayers and every day.
I love the story about Lowes...another generation of carpenters!
You are welcome to the photo...I think you can just click and drag it off the site. If not...I need your email!
xoxox
Susie

Posted by Susie on July 12, 2010 at 10:53 AM EDT #

Just having a date should help relieve some anxiety. Hug your adorable boys for me and let me know if you need my help.We can get started on the MATH next time!
Love you,
Annie

Posted by Annie on July 12, 2010 at 12:11 PM EDT #

Little Cutey Patooty DOES love his blueberries!! I was so blessed to have a whole day of his company yesterday - what a funny guy and what a JOY!! My plants/grass/weeds are growing so well today thanks to his horticultural care with my hose!!! Thanks for sharing him with me!! AJ

Posted by jeannette johnson on July 14, 2010 at 10:41 AM EDT #

By the way

"Posted 5:13 AM ???"

Seriously??

Posted by jeannette johnson on July 14, 2010 at 10:43 AM EDT #

He loves blueberry popsicles as well! Still praying for you all.

Posted by Melissa on July 19, 2010 at 08:44 AM EDT #

So glad that you have fun stuff to keep you busy! Many prayers are headed your way, and if you need stuff for hospital care packages (videos, coloring books, play doh, etc.) please just let me know.

Posted by Erin on July 19, 2010 at 11:28 AM EDT #