Where I stand with foster care

Foster care is still big on my heart. I did end up getting re-licensed as a single parent but didn't end up taking any long term placements. I ended up just doing a few respite placements instead. Which is still very important! Foster families need a break now and then! 

My kids both still love fostering as well and had a blast with these respite placements as they were all three a little older (between the ages of four and six). Right now we are once again not taking any placements due to the fact that I just got married and he is not yet licensed. But this is definitely something we are thinking about doing as a couple so I will keep you updated!!

I am so thankful for the days of fostering that I have had and one day soon hope to be doing it again. But no matter where I am in life I am choosing to enjoy every moment. Trying to take this time and enjoy more moments with my kids. They grow so fast! We are also hoping to add a new little baby to our lives one day soon.

We have dreams, we all do. But never forget to look at where you are, breathe, and Simply Live!

Saying goodbye to baby number three

Well this post is long overdue but thought I would give you the update anyways.

Baby S was with us from August until right before Christmas. Then she was able to be reunited with her family. Because of some situations that were going on in our family at the time, I feel like I had gotten even more attached to this little baby. She had started to walk and was beginning to say her first words, Mama and bye... This little girl lit up our life. It was hard to let her go, but I drove her to her home, handed to her mom, helped unload all her things, then kissed that baby girl goodbye. I don't know if I will ever see her again, but I do know God sees her every moment.

 Fostering is definitely challenging and heartbreaking, but it is so, so, very rewarding. It is worth every heartache. Baby S will always be remembered in our home.  I pray that God goes with her, that he blesses and keeps her and one day leads her heart to his. 

Fostering Again

Wow! I have really neglected this blog lately. We have been busy here with a new placement. Once again we have a baby girl. This is strictly foster and it has already been determined that she will go home. Probably sometime close to November. This case has been a little more frustrating. I haven't really made that great connection with the birth parents like I did with baby A yet. And don't feel as happy with the idea of reunification. Probably in part because of that lack of connection. Hopefully by November I will feel more at peace with it. On a plus side, when it comes to just the idea of fostering again I feel less nervous this time around. I guess I am beginning to feel a little more experienced. I have learned that no two cases are alike and have gotten used to that. I guess the best way to put it is I'm getting used to the surprises. Lol. 

On another note we have also started school back up as of yesterday! One in second grade and one in fourth grade. I feel so old!I haven't been able to get school pictures done for this school year quite yet. Hopefully in the next few days. I will be sure to post some here! Thanks so much for all of you that are still keeping up with this blog. I have to admit it's been slow lately. But fall is coming. Being cooped up inside tends to allow more time for blogging. :)

Life Lately

I'm sorry. It's been forever. We are still fostering Baby Girl. And I'm pretty sure she is getting more adorable every day. Her court date is coming up soon and I am sooo ready to have an idea of which way her case is going.

The joys of fostering.

You never know whats up ahead.

 Like a few days ago when  we went to a friends house for pizza and ended up coming home with a baby! Yep, we got the call on the way to their house ( after we had already picked up the pizza) asking us if we would do respite for a 6 month old baby girl. We said yes. They dropped her off to us on our friends porch at 9:30 that night. She actually just went back to her foster family this morning. It was an interesting few days!

  Lots of bottles, diapers, and giggles. A four month old and a six month old..... Fun, but I am relieved to be back to just one baby!

Time for an Update

We get asked on about a weekly basis if we know how long we will have Baby with us. So I figured our blog friends are probably wondering the same thing. Basically her case is a foster case so the goal is to reunify her with her parents. At the same time it sounds like Baby has an awesome judge who tries as best as he can to move things along quickly. Next month is the next court date where we should hear if they plan to continue along to reunification. We are loving being foster parents and pray that God's will be done in Baby's life. If she gets to go home we will be happy for her and her parents but will miss her. And if she stays we will be happy to get the chance to be her family but will be sad for all her parents lost. Fostering is definitely a roller coaster of emotions. I'm so glad that God lead us here though. I would have never had imagined that one day hubby and I would be foster parents!! We all make our plans of what we want to do in life, who we want to be. But just remember to follow after Him. His plans are so much better.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

Dandelions and Birth Moms

One part of the foster care life that I have been a little nervous about is meeting the bio relatives. In my mind I have always pictured it as a scary event. I was uncertain what I would say or do.

I'm not a very good talker in awkward situations. I get nervous and stubble over my words and all that fun stuff...while I have gotten better about it I was not looking forward to the day that I meet the bio's. But recently at one of our foster daughters visitations I was asked right before walking in if I would like to meet some of the family. They were inside and wanted to meet me.

 So I said yes.

I said yes!!

 And it wasn't bad at all. They seemed very nice and I'm glad that I got the chance to say hi. They didn't share my name, just said that I was foster mom. We just said the typical nice to meet you's and they thanked me for taking care of Baby. I feel relieved to know a big scary part in my mind is over and wasn't scary at all.

 In this case anyways...there's always next Foster's bio's. They could be scary.

But for now I feel like "I've got this" about the whole foster thing. Ever part is scary the first time. The first class, the first placement, the first visit and so on. But with God's help we are doing it.

 We are fostering and loving it!

As for the dandelions. We have been enjoying some beautiful weather and making lots of wishes.....

The comments

One part of getting a new foster child is the looks and comments you get when out in your community. People that have seen you shopping in their stores or talking walks wonder how you got that baby.

 

My favorite so far was while taking a walk in the neighborhood I heard two ladies talking on their porch. One said "I didnt even know she was pregnant!". To which her friend replied " Oh I figured she was since I haven't seen her out for awhile." It was pretty amusing. I kinda wanted to march up their driveway and explain myself...but I refrained. There were also the situations in stores where I was busy shopping and didn't really want to explain but people kept trying to figure out the situation and I have to tell them that we were fostering. That is usually followed up by either the whole "Oh I could never do that" line or (the one I like better) "I will be praying!".

We also get the typical new baby comments "She is so adorable!" "What a sweet baby!" and my favorite "She looks just like your husband!".

Point of this post...if you feel like having some interesting conversations with strangers you should think about fostering!

Saying Goodbye

Almost three weeks. That's how long we had our first foster placement. What a journey it's been. She came to us with a little wal-mart bag with some pull ups and a few pairs of jammies and socks. Everything reeked of cigarette smoke and her hair was a knotted up mess. We plopped her in the bath tub that first night and she surprised us by not fussing at all. She loved playing in the bath. I think having kids here was the biggest ice breaker. She had her moments of grief, especially at bedtime, but mostly she was happy to be playing with the kids. She loves church and going out to eat and just seemed to fit right in wherever we went.

We got the call that she would be going to live with family around dinner time. The rest of the evening we played, had fun watching a movie together and prepared her for the move the next day.

She helped us pack up her things the next morning and seemed to be handling it well. Then she broke down and started taking stuff out of her bag crying that she didn't want to leave anymore, that she wanted to stay here. It is heartbreaking to know that she has another adjustment to make now. Right as her little heart was getting settled here. We just pray that God goes with her and that things work out well for her. 

We will miss you our curly haired little girl!

Just Life

Life as a foster parent

Life as we know it has changed around here. There are sippy cups on the counter, pull ups in my purse and a little curly haired girl being tucked into bed.

It's not always easy. Some moments they all play together nicely other times they fight like cats and dogs. Some times she is happy and sweet other times she's kicking and screaming because she can't have her way. Overall she's a sweet little girl but oh my can she be a handful.

Last night we were at a birthday party for a friends little girl. It was at one of the local fast food restaurants with a play place and Little Miss N was playing with the other kids inside the playground. Hubby and I were right outside the playground doors at the big party table. Well somehow she got out without us seeing her and went to the next table down. They were having a birthday party too. When I spotted her she had done managed to get herself a cupcake and was scarfing it down! She is quick!

Then there's the hair. I am not good with the hair. Lol. It's a working progress.

We can definitly use your prayers as we begin this journey. We have had good moments and bad moments. But are already loving the journey called foster care.

 

Surprise! Were Foster Parents!

I figured it's about time I stopped by the blog to let you guys know the news. We are foster parents! I promise to do a longer post telling you guys about how it's been going....

 But for now how about a picture of some feet??

First Day of School 2014 and Another Call!!

Yesterday was the kids first day back to school after Christmas break. It actually went pretty well considering I forgot all about the impending back to school day until the night before. They got up, had some play time, then we got started. They finished up around two and I had the rest of the day to get the house cleaned up. Yay!

 Homeschooling can be difficult but I am so glad I do it. Once you get a routine going it isn't so bad. One thing I have found out for me is no routine equals bad! Another little tip would be to remember that kids learn at their own pace. My son has struggled with reading since day one. His biggest problem being that he doesn't like doing it. He just wasn't interested. Now that he has some things that he is really into, like star wars, I am finding him getting out his star wars books and reading them! It can take quite awhile for him to get much of it done but at least he is doing it on his own! Practice makes progress...

It can be hard to not get frustrated when they don't seem to be picking something up. You may feel like your failing as a teacher.

Remember this...

It will happen.

They will get it.

In their time.

Just keep working.

Now about that call you are waiting to read about....

Yesterday while homeschooling,  I got a phone call from the agency! We are going to do our first respite care placement!!

Respite is when a foster family (us) watches another foster families foster children for a short time. It can be hours it can be a week. Basically babysitting for a foster family. Were excited though! It will give us a little practice. :)

Waiting for placement / the way to get a clean house

There's a ladybug hanging out on my bathroom wall today. I know, it's just a bug. But to me it's hope.

I am getting a little tired of waiting.

 After that call the day after Christmas I am once again thinking about it constantly. My daughters room is officially deep cleaned. I got under the bed, in the closet, even cleaned out the toy box. Now today I'm heading down to my sons room to get started cleaning his.

 So far the three children we could have gotten have all been girls. But who knows maybe the next call will be a boy.

Three girls. I keep thinking about them. How did things turn out for them? If we had gotten them all my family right now would consist of four daughters and a son. Their ages would be a 5 month old and a  4, 5, 6, and 7 year old. Crazy!!

My cell phone has a daily Bible verse on the main screen and today the verse is this..

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Three months Thankful

This past Tuesday marks three months since we were officially licensed. 

Three months of getting up every day thinking "this may be the day". Three months of excitement mixed with nervous feelings. High emotions mixed with low emotions. It feels like an eternity. I guess we have technically been waiting ever since we started the process but it felt different in the beginning. The day we were through with all the paperwork and training, the day we really began waiting, it changed. It was real. Any moment we could get the call. Any moment. That means every day I'm making sure my phone is on me at all times. Trying to be prepared....and dreaming about that moment. 

Lots of dreaming.

What will life be like as foster parents and as adoptive parents? Will we get a boy or girl? Will we get an infant or a toddler? Oh my how I dream. And I pinterest. :) I have plans to make my own baby food, have pinned multiple cribs and baby items.... sigh. 

Waiting is hard. At the same time I'm counting this time as a gift. It's a very exciting time in our lives. Its a time I had once only dreamed about. Now its my story.

And I am thankful. 

Celebrate

Look what my hubby brought home the other day....

You can't really tell in the picture, but it's a mini bottle. Just enough for hubby and I to make a little toast when we get our first foster or adoptive placement! :) We don't drink alcohol so we thought this would be appropriate to have on hand for the big day!

One more thing in our home that reminds me about this journey we are on. I like to think of them as my "by faith" items. I believe that God has called us for this. Our high chair, the clothes of different sizes put away and now this little bottle of celebratory cider are just little steps we have taken in faith that one day soon there will be more children in our home.

 Were waiting for you baby!!

Wait

Just waiting for the phone call. Maybe it will be today! :)

And enjoying our blessings during this month of Thanksgiving.
 

Call #1 Some news!

It happened! We got a call from our adoption agency that wasn't asking for more paperwork, or informing us of an upcoming class. No, this one to actually talk to us about a child. Before you get to excited I have to say that it didn't end up going through. We were never placed with the child, but I wanted to share anyways because it's actually the beginning of something pretty exciting.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11


A few days ago I was busy cooking dinner for our pastor and his family ( something our church did for pastor appreciation month). While I was in the middle of layering the lasagna my phone started to ring. It wasn't a number I recognized so I was about to let it go to voicemail when I decided to go ahead and answer it. I'm glad I did because it was our social worker calling from the on call phone. When she said who she was I seriously just thought Oh they must need something else. Or maybe they had called confirming that they got the most recent thing they needed. But no I was completely shocked when she said that she was calling about a three month old baby!!! Here's the thing though. We were signed up for adoption only. The only calls we should have gotten were for children ready to be adopted or ones that had a low risk of going back to their homes. But this baby would have been a temporary foster situation. Something we hadn't told them we would do, yet. The weekend before, Hubby and I were discussing doing this as we wait for our adoption placement. That maybe God was wanting us to be a foster family as well, and Hubby had told me to go ahead and call them the day that they ended up calling me! 

Long story short. The baby stayed at her/his home. But it just felt like a confirmation that we should do this. I was feeling a little nervous about calling them to tell them we were interested in foster care as well. I was thinking that I wasn't sure how I would feel about getting a call about a child that we would know we couldn't keep. But!!! When we got that call, even though I knew it would only be for a short time, I was sooo excited!! All the things I thought I would worry about I didn't I was just plain excited! And actually a little disappointed the next day when we got the call saying it wasn't happening,

Point of this story.

We are now an in the process of adoption, foster/respite home!

Adopting from foster care is a long hard journey. But I know that He is the one in charge. And He is the one who will help us through all the situations that may come up, such as giving a child back. So we look forward to a child being placed in our home either to stay or for a little while...

Something More

The moment you stop caring what other people think — is most likely when you start doing what God wants.

 I read that quote on a friends blog today, and I have to say it is so true. We live in a fallen world. So really it makes sense that when we do things that God wants us to do, it's not going to make sense to those around us.

The world says spend your money on things you want...

Maybe an iphone,

a new truck or car,

a big house,and all the latest styles of clothes.

 The world says that to be successful you need to make your self better and better. Climbing up the ladder, bigger house, better job, nicer things.

 But is that what God says?

Maybe right now you are trying so hard to make more of yourself when God says your already enough.

Maybe you want a bigger house,  a better job, a nicer car. Those things really are nice to have. But what if God wants something more for you?

And what if to the world that something more looks like something less?

 What if it's feeding the hungry?

 Being a voice for the orphan?

Adopting?

Being a missionary?

Homeschooling your children?

Helping out with local foster care?

Just reaching out to those around you?

There are so many things we can do for him.  It might mean giving up on some of these things that the world offers.It might mean that the world will think your weird.

But in the end what the world thinks is something less, will fulfill you so much more.

 


 Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

We got a letter

We got a letter in the mail from our adoption agency today.....saying our social worker quit. It's a small agency and she is one of the only social workers, so it was a little like..WHAT??????

They are training a new one and we are just hoping that this doesn't slow the whole process down. Good news..I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies today, and they always make me smile. :)

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Adopt Us Kids

Such a simple ad, such a big message. Have you considered adoption? Or Foster Care? It is possible, you don't have to be perfect. 

Please don't forget to pause the music at the top of my page before watching the video.