AMERICAN ADOPTION & OUR FOSTER PARENTING PATH

Brian, our 5 sons, and I have come to a family decision. We've decided to add some "pink" or "tomboy blue" to this household. Yes, my friends, we have decided to become a foster family again. This decision will come as a shock (or maybe a slight scowly-quint) to some of our friends and family. Those who know us well, know that Brian, my wonderful, sweet, hard working Brian, decided a while back that we are NOT adding more children to our home.

I should say that at that time, Brian was shouldering some pretty heavy weight at work. In my opinion, he was having to be the boss without having the title. That was very stressful because he had to get the job done while knowing he didn't have the weight of the title to back him up. Add to that my broken leg full of metal screws and a plate, 3 year old twins, a young teen son going to college, extended family ridiculousness, two middle sons and regular household responsibilities and well... Brian's life was a bit...much...to say the least. but I digress...

Now, however, is a very different time in our lives. What a difference a year and a half can make! Brian is now promoted to the top as a project manager. I'm walking fine and dandy even with metal in my leg, the twins are nearly 5 years old, Kazz is on the Dean's list and should graduate with an associate of business degree in July, Brise and Vinze are absolutely sweet as pie and sharing a room even and well...we are all pretty much happy as little larks in this household. The boys are a blast and Brian is in full "dad" swing again.

I had an inkling that this was coming because for some time, I've noticed that when Brian would tell people we have 5 sons he would often hear, "What? No girls?" His response for the past 6 months or so has been..."Not yet." Hmmm....very interesting.

Well, very recently, it dawned on him that if we are going to "get" girls we had better do it, and fast. We aren't getting any younger. We have one about to leave the nest in a year and a half or so and we sure don't want to wait until we have grand-children! And, hey! Who's going to travel when they're 60 years old anyway? Not us! I have that leg thing going on and he's planning to work forever so who are we kidding about traveling when we have an empty nest? We have no delusions my friends. We know we're in for a life full of kids and grand-kids and we are HAPPY about it! LOL

With that epiphany, Brian and I had a heart to heart, we spoke with our boys, we've contacted our wonderful friends at our local Department of Human Resources and now...we are on our way!





With that decision came another quest. We are in full swing painting and getting our household ready for new arrivals who are still at least 6 months from arriving! We can't even take the foster parenting classes until January and once those begin it usually takes 4 to 6 months for the licensing to be final. We have some time to think. We have some time to get ready and we have some time to get anxious! LOL It's like a pregnancy!

When I say we are getting our "household" ready, I do mean household. There are rooms to finish, build and paint. There are hearts to make ready and family schedules to adjust and create. Brian and I have been through the fostering process so our hearts are up to speed as much as they can be, however, we are always talking with our younger sons about the fact that fostering may not mean adoption for every child. We are a bridge and sometimes the children get to walk back to their first family, while others walk across the bridge to stay in our family forever. It's starting to sink it...I think. You see, they forget that they were, at one time, foster children.

I am not a schedule person by nature but God's plan for my life has led me to a point where, schedule...I must. I must cook, clean, teach, serve and cater to my family. I do that but I have been known to get sidetracked at times. Life is full of fun and we are such that we like to take detours from time to time. That means laundry piles up and paper plates become good friends of ours. :o) But, I've found that a schedule to fall back on always helps so I'm planning to plan! I've been following a slight schedule lately and I like it so far. We are making the schedule meld to our lives so it's coming along...slowly. LOL




Yes I remember where I was when the call came. I had gotten up early and the phone rang. "Shelly, we have twin boys that are 8 months old." The next day..."Shelly, they have a brother..." Seeing our sons for the first time is so very vivid in my mind. Kazz was so small, Brise was soo big, Vinze was hunting for frogs in a pond carrying a bucket, Daxx was screaming to the point that he was purple and Kole was crying softly. God gave every one of them to us and bonded them to our hearts, perfectly.









It's hard, exhausting, relentlessly emotional, exciting, beautiful and full of meaning. It's adopting through foster care. Some call it renting to own with tongue in cheek. We affectionately call it The Journey. Thank God we didn't have to be rich or perfect or even have a tidy house. All they ask for are safe, open arms and a safe open home. Are you ready to take the first step?