Emergency placement

Last week, we received our first placement. It was an emergency placement. We actually received 2 different phone calls in one week, but only felt led to take on one placement to begin with. We never thought we would get 2 different calls back to back. Welcome to the world of fostering!

Friday afternoon we received our first call to take in a baby - yes a baby! I never imagined our first placement would be a baby. We were not prepared at all for a baby - no crib, car seat, bottles, formula, etc. Nothing! They laughed when I told them, "No problem, Walmart is down the street." Within a couple hours, he arrived on our doorstep. A precious baby boy with a big, beautiful smile despite all he had just been through.

He came with very little just as we had heard would happen. Thankfully, his worker had stopped by the rainbow room to pick up formula, bottles, and a few outfits. What a blessing this was!

He amazed us all with his happy and giggly personality as he was carried in and looked around at all the animals. He was a little more cautious as he looked around at the adults and children.

We realized very quickly that he is healthy and a very busy and curious child.

After listening to his heartbreaking story, we realized he may not be coming and going very quickly. He may be with us awhile.

This last week has been a learning experience as we learn all we can to truly help and comfort him during this time. We had to learn how he liked to be held, how he sleeps, what and how much he likes to eat, what comforts him when he's upset, etc. We're still learning.

The first night he woke up several times scared and looked around frantically as if trying to figure out where he was and who this strange lady was picking him up.  He had a hard time relaxing in my arms. Then, he finally would relax enough to fall asleep.

After the first night, he seemed to relax more and sleep better. He now seems more calm and relaxed in my arms and in his crib. Thank you Lord for giving this little baby some comfort.

We were surprised at how quickly he started attaching. It only took a few days before he started favoring me over others and crying when I walked away or went out of his view. I thought this would take much longer. When we go places, friends will ask to hold him, but he will quickly want to come back.

God is so good! He knows exactly what this little guy needs and He is showing us each step of the way. We feel so honored that He chose us to take care of this sweet precious baby boy.

Official foster parents

We found out one week ago that we are now certified as foster and adopt parents! It took a little longer, but we can now foster children. We feel so blessed and honored to be trusted with the precious children God will bring into our lives.

I am so excited, because I feel this was a door we had shut. We thought we only wanted to adopt and did not consider that God may have wanted us to become foster to adopt parents. We found the adoption process to be a very long and emotional journey. Each time, you are hoping and praying to be the chosen family only to find out another family was chosen or no family was chosen at all. Many of the children we asked for are still waiting for their forever family on the website. We can only know in our hearts that God closed that door on us. They were not the child or children for our family. During the last two years, we received many calls asking us to foster to adopt a child or children, yet we could not because we were only adoption certified only. I am just excited because now I feel God is choosing the children for us. Thank you Lord!

This last month we have had the privilege of doing respite for a couple foster families while we waited to be certified. They were all a joy and some more work than others. A couple kids needed close supervision. Just in a few short days we kept the children, I really came to respect what foster parents do every day. 

We had our first official call a couple weeks ago to take in 2 small children to foster to adopt. They were so excited until they found out we were not actually complete. They wanted a family who was completely certified. We had thought we were complete or close to complete; however, we had a couple more things pop up. So, the children were given to another family; it was not meant to be. 

Now, we are ready to begin our new journey! I know With God all things are possible. He will be with us every step and every child. I pray He shows us what each child needs who comes through our door. I know our lives and hearts will be touched by them as well!