Not Chosen...Again

For the sibling group of three, we were not chosen.  A family closer was chosen...again.

Calls Coming In

Brian and I so desperately want to parent children.  Brian is so excited about becoming a foster dad.  And he will be so good at it too. He has always had a passion for helping children.  We spend part of yesterday learning how to care for Sweety Pie.  We each got to the treatments and spend some time with him.  Brian did very well.  I definitely think he should go into the medical field.

Since meeting with Carrie and Kristy last week, we've recieved a few phone calls.  The first one was for a 4 year old biracial boy BUT he's terrified of dogs.  We have Nero, who is very sweet.  The next call was for a sibling group with a 10 month girl and a 5 year old boy. Got the call today that they no longer need a home. (Though I'm not sure why.) BUT in the same breathe the caseworker said she had another referrel for a sibling group of three: Boy (age 4), Boy (age 2), and Girl (4 months). I, of course, said yes. So, we are again waiting. They need a home today, so if I don't hear from the caseworker by 4:30 (when the agency closes), I'll assume we were chosen...again.  At least the calls are coming in.

Where God leads you...

It's funny where God leads you.  Brian and I are still waiting for some children.  I had another call but had to turn it down. To get the ball rolling, we decided to offer to provide respite care.  Respite care is where a foster family can bring over their foster child(ren) for a night, a few days, or a week.  Respite is a valuable resource to foster families because sometimes they cannot take foster child(ren) with them.  Respite would be used if foster family was going to a funeral or vacation (and the child was too fragile to take), having surgery, or just need a break.  (Because don't all parents need a break!?)  As soon as I sent the email, my caseworker, Carrie, wanted to meet the next week.  (Which is today)  I had a bunch of questions anyways about fostering so it worked out. Unfortunally, Brian couldn't be there because he had school.  It turns out our foster/adoptive friends, C and M, asked Carrie (we share the same caseworker) if we would be willing to do respite for them! How exciting! Their newest addition, who I've nicknamed Sweety Pie, is severly medically fragile and would need a higher level of care.  I spent a few hours going over all I would need to do to care for this sweet child.  I instantly fell in love with him.  I admit that I was nervous with all I would have to do to care for him, but after a few hours I am starting to fell more comfortable. Of course, Brian and I will have to do many more visits so he gets use to us and we get use to his routine.  We are going back Monday morning (no school!) so that Brian can meet him and we can both see his morning routine. After working with him, we will definitely be able take children with higher level of care.  And we are looking forward to when C and M will need us.

Nesting

You know that feeling you get right before you baby is due?  The urge to put rearrange, paint, buy, and decorate so everything is just right. Well, I have that same feeling! Even though we are waiting for older children, I still have the urge to get everything just right. I just want our foster children to be in a homey environment.

Two weeks ago our new furinture arrived. We got a great deal at a local furniture store that I get a discount from.  My job gives them A LOT of business so in return employees get a discount. :-) We got bunk beds with all the fixing and a much bigger table. And I got a super good deal on sheet sets and pillows. Plus, I have some friends who offered me their cribs that convert into toddler beds and one converts into a full size bed! I am truly blessed by all of my friends.

                                                      Full Size Bed in Bedroom One

                                                      Plenty of Room at our New Table

 Bunk Beds in Room Two

I haven't picked up the one crib set yet.  But my other friend delivered hers a week ago.  It took me two days and a few swear words but I finally got the full bed up. We had a very nice box spring and full size pillow top mattress.  Brian made a sacrfice and moved his office into kitchen so we could put the bunk beds in there.  Both rooms still look like they are missing something.  A toy box or doll house maybe? 

I found this amazing blog written by a foster child and he gets great tips. http://looneytunes09.wordpress.com/ He suggest having a stuff animal for when children arrive that they can keep and getting duffel back or book bag to keep their stuff in....instead of a trash bag.

Yard sales will be coming up soon and I'm excited! I made a list of all the things I want to buy to make my house kid friendly and fun!

We are still waiting for a placement. I just sent an email to my caseworker, Carrie, letting her know that we are willing to except respite placements and emengery placements too. Hopefully, that will get us started.