Peace on Earth.

Sitting at the lake - praying asking God what he has for me. Returned to car. Got an email that we are officially a licensed Foster Care home, effective today.

Ok Jesus - what's next?

That's just how we roll...

Oh, where to begin now. 

The best news - our home study has been sent to the state for approval!!  When I messaged our worker with a note on how speedy I thought it all went, she replied with "That's just how we roll!"  

That's going to be my motto this week!  

In a little bit sadder news - we've been notified that they are moving forward with an aunt for a placement for Dude 1 and Dude 2.  While this makes zero sense in my head - since aunt has sister, and sister is set for reunification - how are they going to keep the boys from the confusion of visits with mom - it's not for us to contest at this time.  We did tell them to let us know if something falls through.  We feel sad about this and worried for the boys.  Just keep praying for them and that they'll find the loving home that they need! 

So - without an idea of a placement in our future - we're really just sitting and waiting now.  Once our license comes through (she said before Christmas probably! yikes!) - we'll be working with a F/C case worker and an Adoption worker since our goal is to adopt from Foster Care.  We have decided to only take permanent wards right now, which means it could possibly take a long time for children in the age range we're capable of caring for become "available" for adoption. 

Saying Yes

Did you know that Dude 1 and Dude 2 have a little sister?  

Probably not - because I haven't really been telling anyone.  

But last night - when we were at our last training class (woot woot!!) - our licenser was putting some finishing touches on our paperwork and asked again what age range we want it to say.  

First, we decided 3-9 (to cover Dude 1 getting older).  

Then I stopped her.  I looked at husband.  He looked at me.  And we said ... 

"Welllll... there is sister." 

"Do you want me to put infant-9?  You'd need to set up a crib."

"Sure okay, we'll put it in our bedroom." 

What?!?  We can't take baby girl too.  We wouldn't even be able to pay for daycare - I'm certain of it.  When we first read their 17 page life and it mentioned her, we talked about it and said, "Maybe when she gets older like 2 or 3..."    (side note:  she is not even available right now, her goal is currently reunification) 

But we just couldn't exclude her from our license age range. 

Which means I guess we're putting the crib back up. 

I'm telling ya ... when you're stepping out into the work God is calling you to do - don't put stipulations on it. 

Example:  Sure God, we'll look into adopting from foster care.  But we only want kids younger than our own kids.  And only one child.  Maayyybe two. 

Ha. 

Keep praying for us!!  We are trusting that HIS plans are greater than our plans!! 

Forward in Faith...

Yesterday was a roller coaster day.

I got an email that gave us seventeen pages about a sibling group we've inquired about.  Let's call them Dude 1 and Dude 2.  Seventeen pages of their lives.  And this is supposed to help us decide if we'd like to pursue further. 

I left school with anxious and excited knots in my stomach.  I was talking like a crazy person in the car all the way home.  "I'm scared I'm scared I'm scared"

In perfect timing, on comes this song:



(first line hint:  "Jesus, my soul is fearless ... for You are with us, fighting for us"

I also notice on the way home that Owen is falling asleep in the car, which is odd.
Then we get home and he starts acting sick, not eating, not moving, and oh yeah - he has a fever of 102.  So I start gearing up to take another sick day and plan for a sub - again.  This is the third time this year already that I've had to stay home with a sick child.  Nick has also already taken 3 days.

Then.  We get a call that our well water test came back positive for coliform bacteria.  Again.  He recommends another smaller treatment.  Which is fine - no one wants bacteria in their water (though I'm guessing it's always been like this, from what I read online it's pretty common for private wells to have a trace of this) But we just spend over $200 on the first treatment.  And more than that on getting our septic pumped.  Did I mention Owen needs a new window in his bedroom?  Or the car repairs we just did?  Or how I got a ticket for expired registration for our car?

And so begins the debate ... are these signs for us to slow down?  Or are they road blocks from the enemy trying to stop us from doing God's work that He's called us to do?  Or BOTH?

Water and Septic and Wells - oh my!

Did you know you need to get a health inspection of your water well and septic (for us country livers) to get licensed for Foster Care? 

Sure - this is "free" from the agency.  Until you need your septic pumped to even get the health dept. to look at it.

And then they find bacteria in your well so that's another $200+ to have someone come take care of.

On top of a few car issues lately ... I sure hope we don't get marked down for lack of $$ in savings!!

There are some other things I want to share ... like really, really want to word vomit all over this blog right now ...  but probably not internet appropriate yet. 

Just asking for some extra prayers about children that are already coming into sight as possibilities for our home.  We want to be VERY cautious and find out every last piece of detail - but also be very PRAYERFUL and trust where God's leading us.  We feel confident in HIS plan for our family and whatever kiddos that are in that plan!

Helping Daddy rebury the septic tank...

 

PRIDE, Home Visits, and Nesting...

Did you know you can feel the nesting rush for children you don't even know?  Maybe it's not nesting... maybe it's just the overall excitement of preparing a room and space for someone new. 

Backing up, about a month ago now we attended our first training class (In Michigan, it's called PRIDE training).  This class was on attachment.  Since hubby and I spent a day this summer learning about RAD (reactive attachment disorder) for graduate credit, we both left this class feeling like it did not prepare anyone in that room about what a child's attachment disorder could really be like!  I actually was kind of annoyed.  Then hubby kindly reminded me that not everyone in the room has a masters degree in education.   Oooh yeah, I forgot.

Facilitator:  So, what do you think might happen with a child who's experienced this?
Guy who looks and sounds like Heavy D:  Probably turn to drugs. 

5 minutes later:

Facilitator:  So, how about this child?  What's going on with them?
Heavy D:  Probably drugs.

Every time.  It was hilarious and intriguing at the same time. 

A week or two later, we had our first home visit.  Our gal came out to give us some paper work, talk through some things and measure our bedrooms.

Before she arrived, I was sitting in Owen's bedroom thinking, Maybe this room is too small for more than one kiddo.

Apparently not.  According to their measurements and space requirements - his room could have 3 children in it.  Henry's room also could have 3.  Our guest bedroom (now future kiddo room) measured for 2 children.  And our bedroom could have 7.   Our gal joked, "Do you want to have a group home?"  Ha.

We do not live in a mansion ya'll.  
I guess 40 square feet per person is just a really, really small amount of space!

And now ... the nesting.  And paper work.  And waiting.  And TONS of praying!

Still hunting for mattresses....

 

Adding to our family...

Oh man - where to even begin!

Husband and I are looking into doing foster care and/or adopting from foster care.

There.   I said it.   What better reason to start blogging again, right??

Before you give me all the "crazy" "so hard" "what about protecting your own children"  - just know that I know. 

I know because I see these kiddos in my classroom and hallways at school.

I know because I've read countless blogs on the topic.

I know because I have spoken with a dear friend who grew up with her parents doing foster care.

I know. 

I also know that God doesn't call the equipped, he equips those he calls. 

And He calls us to take care of orphans and the least of these. 

And He sent his own son into this crappy, crazy world for us. 

So - slowly but surely - we're looking more into it.   And attending an orientation next week to gather some more info.

Prayers to help us crazy people are welcome.  

They would (will) be AWESOME brothers.