Making a difference...One Starfish at a time

Our family started fostering back in 2005. We have been blessed to love on many babies. There has been many twists and turns throughout our journey and in December of 2010 we were called for placement of a newborn baby boy. His biological mother worked a case plan for 18 months and after 23 months she surrendered her rights and we adopted 'Sprout' in December of 2012. Our faith has been tried and tested and we are still certain that God is faithful!

April 15, 2013

Moments

Sprout is definitely adjusting to having another little person here.  Baby B is very easy going and always has a smile on his face.  He is quite handsome!  So many times throughout the day I stop and realize what I have.  I watch them play (or fight) and I smile knowing that God (for now) has blessed me with the desires of my heart.  Baby B is bonding well with our family.  He doesn't sleep as well as Sprout but I am learning that I don't need as much sleep as I thought I did.  Looking forward to the moment when Sprout realizes that having a 'baby brother' can be fun.  Off to enjoy my sweet baby boys.  (Baby B is not with us through foster care)  Yesterday, I found out that bio dad wants to file for custody. 
Not sure if that will happen.

April 14, 2013

It's a Baby (B)!!!

Because my life is just THIS crazy...we welcomed a new baby into our house this week.  A friend called and told me that a baby needed a possible adoptive home.  I took him in and we're waiting to see what God has planned! He is adjusting well and we are falling in love.  Sprout is adjusting to having another little person here but overall we are excited to see what God has in store for this little one!  (Baby B is NOT through foster care...we are waiting to see if it's a possible adoption situation).

March 25, 2013

TWINS!!!

I have 23 month old identical twins here for the next few days.  Along with Sprout, that about makes triplets.  Having tons of fun :) :) :)

March 12, 2013

Happy

Our house is keeping busy.  We're waiting patiently for Spring and enjoying more daylight hours.  Sprout LOVES to be outside and can't wait to get back out in the grass and kick a ball.  Life without foster care is completely dull but we're loving every minute!!! My planner has gone from being written in daily to the point where there are weeks between appointments.  I'm not complaining!! Hubby had a major job change and I am so thankful for more time with him.  Major house renovations and a possible vacation coming up this year.  Kids are thrilled that Sprout is ours and I spend a lot of time watching him learn and grow and.  I find myself wondering what it would have been like if he went home...  His problem solving skills are amazing and we LOVES to learn new things.  He can recognize the letter 'A' and the word 'eat'.  Elm0 is still a big favorite in his little world and he has a few friends that he LOVES.  His siblings are his biggest fans and he doesn't go to sleep at night unless he hugs and kisses us all!  He loves to 'pray' and when he gets hurt (or hurts someone else) he runs to get the 'ice'.  This boy has fulfilled the deepest desires of our hearts and we are so thankful that God has given him to us!  Can't wait to see what the future holds! 

March 5, 2013

Fosterhood

So happy for Rebecca :)  Clementine is coming HOME!!!! Check out the story over at http://fosterhood.tumblr.com/    Some things are just MEANT TO BE!!!!


(you may need to scroll down for the whole story which started a few weeks ago)  :)

February 26, 2013

February update

Well, it's almost the end of February and even though I stopped Sprout's monthly updates a while back I figured I'd list things he's doing.  We took the paci away in the beginning in January.  He adjusted extremely well to falling asleep without it.  He has shown many signs that he is ready to potty train.  He tells me when he is wet and stays dry for a while during the day.  On the down side, he wakes himself up at night if he gets wet :/  This mama is NOT ready for her little boy to grow up!!  He is THE cutest when he is dancing and LOVES to sing (and sings ON KEY).  We play a game with him to see if he can match what key we sing in...he can :)  He LOVES going out with daddy.  Even if it's just to the mailbox!  Sprout LOVES playing with his dinosaurs and his cars.  He can hit a ball of the tee and throw a ball pretty far.  He LOVES the pool but only at his own pace.  He is a snuggler in the morning and night but during the day he is pretty much independent (unless he needs a boo boo kissed).  A good friend of mine is fostering identical twin girls (and it looks like the case is going toward adoption later this year...yippee!)  and the girls will be staying here for a week.  He adores them!  I spend quite a bit of time just staring at Sprout an thanking God for fulfilling the desire HE gave me.  It is quite an amazing feeling to hug a wish come true :)

February 1, 2013

Training hours...

The mall is having a craft fair and my agency will have a booth set up to hook encourage others to foster.  Since it counts as training hours I'll be spending quite some time there telling others how wonderful foster care is. 

Not sure if my agency home finder realizes that I haven't taken a placement since Lil' Peanut in December of 2011??  (He left us after 6 months to go to a relative)
Does she realize I have an open bed? 
Does she realize she asked me to be honest with these people? 
Does she realize that if I had an actual PLACEMENT right now I could say what foster care actually is like? 
She thinks because I'm on the 'other' side right now I'll tell everyone to foster...

What I'll actually say is that if they sign on, take the classes and get certified..BECAUSE they're NEW they have a better chance of getting a placement than I DO...even after 7 years!!!  

Um, I said all that to say I have an open bed!!  RING PHONE...RING!!!!