Why foster?

Often people don't understand why we choose to foster. Our reasons are two-fold. First, and selfishly we want children of our own. It doesn't look like we will be having our children naturally, so that means adoption. Second, we could choose private adoption however these kids need someone to help them at an important time in their lives. They need love, compassion, and stability rather it be for 2 months, 1 year, or forever. I found these statistics on the Internet. I looked for the ratio of foster homes to foster children... I know they are always in need of good foster homes. If this is something that is in your heart, please take a minute to look into it here.

There are approximately 7,000 children from the ages of birth to 21 who are living in out of home care in Kentucky; 2,126 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.

• The greatest percentage (51%) of these children are age 12 and older.
• Many have brothers and sisters who also need care.
• They represent all races and many ethnic groups.
• Most (75%) are able to return home when their birth families or relatives can provide appropriate care for them.
• About 1,260 of the state’s more than 7,000 foster children live in Jefferson County.
• Foster parents must be 21 years old and can be single or married and in good physical and mental health. They must have sufficient income to meet their family’s needs and undergo several background checks, as well as 30 hours of initial training.

Wordless Wednesday

These bleak February days with some teasing sparks of warmth and sunshine make me look forward to days like these...

Family vacation is booked and the sun is in sight!!!

Flaws

I know many of you who read this blog are IRL friends. Even so, I feel it is important to share with you the sides of me I hope you don't see too often. In going through the fostering process I have had several, let's call them "AH HA" moments. I am constantly evolving and changing into what I hope is a better person. I want to share these because I feel like it will make me more accountable for myself. This all sparked in me because of the kind comments many of you have left in regards to our situation in life right now. I am humbled by your genuineness. But I want you to be aware as I am that we are in this place in this time for a reason or reasons. I believe one of those reasons is so that God can mold us along the way. Here are some ways God is working in my heart right now and has been throughout this process.

• Impatience~ I am an impatient person. It is a daily struggle for me to keep my patience in tack There are days when by the time I get home I am all out of patience, as I dispersed it out to my students, leaving my hubby with a crabby wife. I can't wait to see the end outcome of our experience, however I know that throughout this process God has crafted and molded my patience. He will continue to do so and I am grateful!
• Temper~ Ok so I have a temper. Some people laugh when I say that. I'm pretty laid back but really when I lose my cool I'm kind of ridiculous. Honestly, very few people ever see that side of me. BUT I want to be able to keep it in check. I want to show my future children my positive resolve, not some crazy person. Throughout this process I have learned much more how to talk things through and remain cool headed.
• Control~ I am type A to the tenth degree. Before this I had my life planned out. I had everything lined up, and in perfect place. I am much more ok now with just letting things happen! I much more appreciate God being fully in control.
• Lack of Clarity~ I perhaps wasn't focused on the right things in life. I took them for granted. I wasn't able to recognize the Holy Spirit working in others. I struggled with a genuine love for ALL. Not to say that I don't still struggle, but I am so aware now. I am so loving seeing the Holy Spirit in others and pray that others can now see the Holy Spirit in me.

I am glad that God has given me this time. To mold me into a better person. I still can't wait to see the end results... but I'm grateful to have this time to grow.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Date Night

Anthony and I had planned to go out this past Saturday for dinner. Something simple. Are you sensing the theme of "staying busy"? Well it turned out that we decided to meet some friends for a drink before we went to dinner. These are friends that we haven't had a chance to spend time with lately so it was a nice treat. After drinks we all decided to go to dinner together. They had reservations at a restaurant (called L&N) we had never been to, so we joined them. These are the friends that always know the best places in town to eat. I'd lovingly call them foodies. I love it because Anthony is very much a meat and potato type of guy and we rarely try any place unique or different. This place met so many of my criteria of an amazing date night.

• First, they have a one of a kind bar that has wine on tap. Tons of wine.

• Second, the place has character. An older building with tons of charm.

• Third, the food is Y-U-M-M-Y! While there I had a cheese tasting, a house salad, scallops, and a flourless chocolate cake (just so you don't think I'm a pig I have to tell you that we all shared the cheese tasting, and Anthony and I shared the cake).

So, between the friends, food, and atmosphere this was an amazing date night. We didn't eat until after 9:00 and didn't climb in bed till almost midnight. I actually felt like a grown up!

Craft Night

Anthony and I have stayed busy lately. Since we turned Miss L over to her great aunt we have received 2 other calls (neither was a good fit), but my point is we know the next "right" call could come at any time. Therefore we are filling our days with activities we will miss out on (happily- miss out on I should add) when we have another foster placement. On Friday I had a girl's night. It was really craft night too. All my friends are at various levels of craftiness. Regardless, we all came together to chat, have a little wine, and craft. If you have never done one of these nights I highly recommend it. Themed nights are the best! I made a growth chart and a couple signs. My friend used my sewing machine and made some amazing pillows pillows. Another friend made a wooden coat hanger for her son. A couple girls helped me make tissue paper pom poms for the nursery and some girls just hung out and caught up. Hanging out with girlfriends is just so healing. Throw in crafting and wine and I'm in heaven. I know I say it all the time but I am so lucky in so many ways.

8%

An IRL friend and sorority sister left a comment I just had the chance to read. She is preparing to foster and has such an amazing heart! It really stuck out to me and is so powerful! I had to share it with you. I wanted it to have its own post so others could see it.

If 8% of Christians adopted one child there would be no more orphans in the world.

This is a simple statistic, but how powerful to consider the ramifications. What a wonderful thing to think about.

Some news...

I was busy, then I avoided. Now I am back. The most important news (not the best) I want to tell you is that on Monday we found out Miss L would be going to her great aunt and uncle. On Tuesday we met them and gave her to them. It was so difficult, I'm not going to lie. Probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. No, it was the hardest. To meet them at least I know she will be fine. She made such a huge impact on our lives and we would not change the past two months for anything! She is a blessing! It wasn't the way we hoped things would turn out but now our job is to pray that she stay a happy, healthy, and sweet little girl. I don't think there is a day that goes by that I won't pray for her. As for us, we are adjusting. We are staying busy, and we have a wonderful support system. I am so grateful for that. What I don't want is people to feel sorry for us. I am so appreciative for all the kind words but this is our choice. Let me reiterate what I have said before... we are not brave, and we are not all that strong. We are in this situation and we want a child. We deal with it day by day and are looking forward to the end result. In the mean time we were able to have an absolute blast for the past 2 months.