Who? Me?

• Mar. 29, 2008
March is almost gone

Wow. Almost April already? Time is flying by. Let's see.... I am no longer babysitting baby Jamas. I had him for three weeks, took a long weekend trip to the beach........ahhhhhhhhhhh........and the day we came home, got a call for Ethan. Baby Ethan is 3 months old but tiny. He was a preemie and is the best baby. We are enjoying him. He has court next week so he may not stay but I am sure hoping he does. His is a sad situation. He has a half sibling that was abused/tortured and has been able to be adopted by a great family. I am hoping Ethan doesn't have to go back to that situation before the court will protect him. The strange thing is that just a day or so after Ethan came, Jamas had to be moved and if Ethan hadn't been here, Jamas would have come to us. It's amazing to see God's hand shaping our lives.

My baby girl is sick with a virus so we won't get to go to church tomorrow. We did get to go to an egg hunt and they had a blast.

My sweet son is now a teenager! Ouch! He is just a wonderment to me. He is the best kid ever and I am so, so blessed.

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• Feb. 21, 2008
What a day

Well, ole satan must be stalking about today and he found me. I have had a very bad attitude today and I don't like it! I guess more or less, it's discouragement. I have been waiting and waiting, since mid-November for a new placement and hoping for another baby. Today I get a call asking me to babysit for another foster family who works full time as they are getting a newborn placed with them! Ugh! First of all, I hate the thought of a newborn baby going to daycare and this mom works as a teacher in the day and a realtor at night. It is a combination of my greeneyed monster wishing that placement was for me and my sadness for this tiny baby being placed where he will spend about 10 hours a day in a daycare.

Lord, please give me back my joy and don't let me continue to be discouraged.

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• Jan. 25, 2008
The Weekend is Here

Not that it makes that big a difference for me. I am fortunate to be a stay at home-homeschooling-mom so every day is like a weekend day. Well, we usually don't do school on weekends.

It has been way too quiet around here. I am waiting for my phone to ring to tell me some kiddos need a home. I just sent off for my transcripts as I am preparing to start distance learning classes so about the time I get into it, my phone will ring with triplets or something!

I can't wait for spring and time to get outside. It's been cold lately. About the only fun thing we've gotten to do is make two library trips. But that was fun since my 13 month old checked out her first library book!

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• Jan. 17, 2008
Dreary, cloudy "blue" day......

The end of the week is near. It has been a cold, dreary day and I feel blue. I am so, so ready for warm, sunny weather! Yesterday it snowed a bit and was cold and yucky. Today was just cold and cloudy and now they're saying snow again tomorrow night into Saturday. My husband is taking classes and working full time so he's gone alot. It is an adjustment. If we were not homeschooling, I would seriously get a job just to get more interaction with adults. I know when the weather breaks we will be out and about at parks and stuff and it will get better but gee, I am feeling the winter blues today.....

I hope to get a call for more kiddos soon. That will keep my busy and occupied. I got called twice on Tuesday but once was to go sit with a drug baby at the hospital and I knew she would go to a medical home plus I didn't have a sitter for my three and then Tuesday night was a call for three kiddos and we said yes but they were able to keep them in their school district. I know our turn will come soon. Just antsy.

Justin has done very well with school this week but I can tell he needs a diversion too. Tomorrow we have co op classes starting back up so that will be a nice break.

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• Jan. 10, 2008
What a GREAT day!!!

Oh my! Today was awesome! I spent most of the whole day in court for our baby girl. It was nerve wracking as we had an actual trial. But after all the questioning and cross-questioning, the judge ruled in our favor! The "plan" has been changed to ADOPTION BY CURRENT FOSTER FAMILY!! Now we have to get through actual tpr. That should come soon. We continue to pray, pray, pray that all will go smoothly.

PTL!

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• Jan. 8, 2008
Tuesday

Well, it's Tuesday. Almost half of the week already over. Wow. We had some company today so school didn't go exactly as we'd planned. A fellow foster family had court today and we kept their two kiddos. I am so sad for them. They have had a little fellow for 22 months and today he was sent to a relative. They are heartbroken.

We have court on Thursday. I am too afraid to be too happy. Things seem to be moving toward tpr for our angel. Just have to wait and pray.

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• Jan. 7, 2008
New Year, new beginnings, new problems..........

Well, it is offically 2008 now. Wow. Time really does go by fast. I can remember growing up thinking time passes slowly. Not anymore. We are back in school. But sad to say, we missed today. Life sometimes gets too busy. DH is now back in classes too which leads to new issues. How to swing the job and the classes and the family..............ughhhhhhh........calgon take me away!

Justin is doing great. He is such a wonderful son. I am very proud of him and his cheerful heart and willingness to help. What a great "big brother" he is. The girls are growing so much. Jaz is walking now and has two teeth. She is so pretty. Everyone says she looks just like a Cabbage Patch kid. Skyla is doing much better. Her vocabulary is increasing and her "fits" are decreasing. Praise the Lord! I was recently informed that dhr would be seeking termination of her parental rights soon so she may be able to find her forever family, which would be great for her.

I wouldn't mind a dusting of snow but I truly look forward to spring. And the blessing of more littles coming to my home soon...... ring phone, ring!

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• Dec. 11, 2007
It's Christmastime.........

Just doesn't feel like it. It's way too warm. And this house is way too small to really decorate. I have a ton of things to decorate with but I am like, why bother........ it will just make the house even smaller. We have small tree and a wreath and our stockings and a few things here and there and that's it. I will be able to pack it all back up after Christmas in about 30 mins.

Jaz has turned one year old! Wow. She finally has one tooth and is walking.

Justin is doing great. We are trying to figure out a better way to do school. He needs more Mama Time I think. Still my baby boy.....even as he becomes a teen.

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• Nov. 21, 2007
One of those days...

Well, the holidays are upon us. I have always heard that some folks get down during the holidays. Never been me. I love Christmas. But this year, there has been so much going on and alot of it things I don't like, that I am feeling down in the dumps. I am missing my tiny baby girl who left last Friday. Her new fm has called me twice and I know she's trying to be nice, but I really don't want to hear how she is enjoying my baby. I know God works all things out for our good but I am not seeing it so far. Guess that's where faith comes in, huh?

Time is dragging by and we are still waiting to see what will happen with our angel baby, Gracie. February seems so so far away and a million things can happen between now and then. She is just the sweetest thing and the joy of our family.

School? What's that? Ha! We have to get back on track next week I guess.

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• Nov. 16, 2007
The part I hate

Well, today brought the part I really hate. Having to say goodbye. My beautiful baby girl of 7 1/2 weeks left today with her big 4 year old brother. Not to go home but to a new foster home. It was found this week that our poor little boy has been sexually abused at the hands of his mother's live in boyfriend. So because I only have one room for my fk's, he has been sharing a room with my 2 year old fd. Now our agency thinks that's not a good idea for her safety. So since he had to move, they moved her too so they could be together. They've only been gone 5 hours and I am really missing my baby girl. Little boy was only here 2 1/2 weeks so we hadn't gotten so attached to him yet. I did talk to his new fm and she said he was doing well and so was the baby. It's too quiet in my home now.

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• Nov. 13, 2007
National Adoption Day

Here it is, November brings National Adoption Day. What a wonderful day. However, I think some folks are confused. I see plea after plea for adoptive families to take a foster child as their forever child. What most people are not aware of is this. We, I speak for foster families, would LOVE to adopt the children who have been in our homes for months and months. But the court system denies the child permanency. They must languish for an average of 2.5 years before anyone cares. The federal law is 15 out of 22 months. Twenty-two months! What a long time when you are only 6 weeks old or 11 months old. Or even two. There are serious problems with the foster care system. Twenty two months is way too long. Six months seems reasonable to me. If biological parents cannot get their lives straightened out, or at least on the path to it, in six months, release that child. Let that child have a home and a family.

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• Nov. 9, 2007
It's Friday!

Well, well, Friday is here........ co op went great and all but two kids are down to sleep.......... ahhhhhhhh

Life is so interesting. I guess it can get overwhelming at times if we "inspect" it too much. Trying to figure out all the "whys". It feels so good to just rest and know God is in control. Hard to do. I have that mentality that is on a commercial. "I want it all and I want it NOW!". I know circumstances work patience in us. I never pray for patience! NO! I just pray for strength.

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• Nov. 6, 2007
November?

Wow! November? Already? Wow! That means Thanksgiving is around the corner and Christmas ---YIKES -- Christmas is coming! Usually each year we choose a theme for the month of December and give up books that month. We've done Christmas around the world, Christmas symbols and names of Jesus. Wonder what we can do this year???

I have been amazed at Justin and how he has learned from all the kids we've had in our home. He has become such a loving, mature and compassionate child. He has always been tenderhearted but now he sees it firsthand and it makes it real. Wonder how many kids we'll have in our home over Christmas this year? Last year was the first time we had others. We had two boys extra. It was an exciting Christmas morn. I am thinking this year we will probably have the two girls and maybe one boy but we may have more. I think the baby, who is now almost 6 weeks old, will not be here but you never know. I had to laugh today. We got our license renewal in the mail and it says we are licensed for no more than three kids but we have four now. So funny.

I look at my life and I know how blessed I am. Thank you Jesus for my family and all my blessings.

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• Oct. 26, 2007
Grocery shopping time!

Well, it's time for a trip to the ole grocery store. Actually, around here that means Wal-mart. Take all 4 kids? NOT!! I am leaving two at least with a friend. Maybe it'll be a fun trip.

Got Switched on Schoolhouse to try today. I hope it'll help me stay more on track. At least we'll give it a go and see.

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• Oct. 24, 2007
Wednesday

Well, today is Wednesday. I am going to court tomorrow for the newborn I received a month ago. Actually, it's for her and her 4 yr old half brother. I believe he will be coming home with us as well. So that makes 5 kiddos again...........Hopefully it'll all settle quickly. I really didn't want another child but as he is her sibling we will try.

Justin has been great at school work. We had a field trip one day and we have co op on Fridays so some weeks seem too short. We are working on finishing up Easy Grammar and we might try SOS. I had someone recommend it who has lots of little kids too and said it helped keep her older one on track and made life easier so we'll see.

BTW, Mindy, if you ever read this, I am beating you at keeping a blog!!! :>)

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• Oct. 24, 2007
Wednesday

BTW, Mindy, if you ever read this, I am beating you at keeping a blog!!! :>)

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• Oct. 19, 2007
One day at a time.....

Well, it's been three weeks since the new baby arrived. We are doing well. She's a dream baby. God knew I needed a dream baby to go along with all the others. I just realized the other day that my three girls were born so close. One in 5/2005, one in 12/2006 and the last one in 9/2007. How do people have a baby every year! My son is such a help.

School is going well. He's doing a new lapbook this week as we had a field trip on Monday.

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• Oct. 5, 2007
Times Change

Well, times change. It is amazing to me how quickly things can change. Three weeks ago, I had 6 children -- five of which were under the age of five. Very tiring......... Fast forward to now, I have four children -- three of which are under the age of 2 1/2. Still tiring. One week ago, we received a newborn baby girl from the hospital. She is very tiny. And such a good baby. So we have three fosters -- ages 2, 10 months and newborn. My son is such a huge help. He is maturing right before my eyes. We had his picture made and he looks so grown up. He is able to do much of his schoolwork independently and I am hardly ever having to "fuss" at him anymore about it. Wow.

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• Sep. 8, 2007
How did I get here?

So I am thinking today, how did I get here at this place in my life. How did it happen and I didn't even know it was happening? Hmmmm........ life has a way of sneaking up on you I guess.

Today I spent my time watching over my brood of kids plus two of someone else's kids. Eight total. As I watched them play, I just wondered how I got here. Only one of these kids is "mine". What has happened to our nation? To our families? How is it that I, only one person in a small area, have FIVE children that belong to others because they can't or won't care for them? Where is the church body in this? Do we see them reaching out to help these families who are floundering? I think of a Casting Crowns song "If we are the Body". As Christians, what are we doing to help? It's easy to point a finger or to critizize. More government programs are not the answer. The schools are not the answer. What is the answer?

I am more and more thankful that we were called to take our son out of public schools. I know we're not perfect and our schooling is not perfect. But I also know what he would get in a public school would not compare and I wouldn't trade our time together for anything. I am watching him become a wonderful young man and I know his future is bright and he will be a wonderful husband and father one day.

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• Sep. 7, 2007
Made it through

Well, we have made it through about 9 days with 6 kiddos. And I have to say, it's settling into a routine and not that bad. Actually, tonight I have 8 kids. My son has two friends over.

We had a great day at our co-op classes. And Justin has been working on a lapbook all week and is doing a great job.

Now, next week, another story. It's the big move..................

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