New Peanut

We took placement of a baby girl on July 27. She was just 2 days old! And a preemie to boot. Man, when I first found out about her, I was in love. And then to see her and hold her, whew, definitely love. I am believing this is the one we've been waiting for all along. I wish I could tell you her name and then you would feel what I felt. But, I can't. All I can say is that it's a perfect name for a sweet baby that we've been waiting for. She's not from our county so I have hope that this could end up in adoption for us. She is just a little peanut. Once I get her all swaddled up in her blanket, there's not much there. So tiny!!!

The boys love her. Especially J. He loves to give her kisses on her head all the time. Yesterday I even let him hold her while I was holding him. He was so proud of himself. It was absolutely precious. He also wants to help feed her her bottle. For being only 19 months old, he is such a big boy!

With all this happiness going on, we got sidelined. Mike was admitted to the hospital after going to the doctor due to an infection in his left upper thigh. Thankfully he was only in the hospital for 4 days. But man, were those tough days for me at home with the kids. He is almost completely healed, but not quite. He was sent home with some potent antibiotics. $2100 worth!!! Thankfully we have great insurance and it only cost us a copay of $30. The medicine is working and that's a good thing!

Then on Thursday, when Mike was released from the hospital, my mom had an outpatient knee surgery. She is doing well, but at home recuperating. Dad is doing a great job at being her "nurse". I pray that this surgery will help her have less pain in her knee now and be able to do fun things with me and the kiddos.

Been an eventful couple of weeks. But I made it through. Of course I couldn't have done it without God on my side helping me all the way. He is my strength and my rock!!!!

July

I didn't fall off the face of the earth. Just dealing with some things here at home.

Our foster daughter is leaving us on Monday. We have been blessed by her as a part of our family for 4 1/2 months. I pray that she will be protected and have a great life with her aunt and uncle. At the same time, I am saddened. She is such a wonderful addition to our family, I hoped it could've been permanent. But, I must press on and know that God will one day bless us with a daughter we can finally call our own.

I HATE what is happening to the children in the world. Satan is doing a good job attacking "the least of these" and nobody seems to care or notice. Funding is being cut for programs that are intended to help children, i.e. school funding and CPS funding. Why?!?!? These precious children are our future. And we are doing a great job at screwing that up.

As each day passes, I know that God is just refining me to do His work here on earth. And I accept the challenge as long as He is there with me!

Cherish your children

My children are precious to me. Sometimes I wonder if they truly know that.

Yesterday I received a phone call from my brother. He told me he had gotten a call from his boss/friend about a mutual family friend of ours. Bobby and Beth's only daughter was declared brain dead. "What happened?!?! How?!?! She was still so young." Was all I could think. He said that she had been sick for a week and then it all of a sudden turned extremely critical. Later, I found out a few more details about Kaitlin. She had been home for a week with a fever and throwing up. I think maybe even a few more symptoms, but that was all I found. She was at the local hospital and when things turned, she was flown to Cooks Children's hospital in Fort Worth, TX. The doctors ran some tests and said there was nothing they could do. Of course, being people of faith, her parents sought prayers for a miracle. I was one of those praying for a miracle for Kaitlin. She was only 16. Last night, around 11:15, her parents had her life support turned off. I couldn't sleep. However, I am a Christian and firmly believe she is up in Heaven right now dancing with Jesus. Kaitlin was a beautiful girl, inside and out. She had a full life. She was young and will be missed. But she was a woman of God. And she let everyone know it whether by words or actions.

Life is so precious. Give your kids an extra hug and kiss as you tuck them in to bed tonight. Tell them you love them just one more time. And don't forgot the other people you love. I know I won't. I am going to be more mindful to make sure my children know that I love them.

Isn't she precious! :)

As you know, with my family being a foster/adopt home, I think every family should adopt. I know everyone won't, but, search your heart. Is God speaking to you??? Not everyone is called to foster. It can be very difficult. But there are so many children just waiting for a forever family. Is that you?

Found this little girl on the TARE website. Isn't she a doll? Don't know that she will fit our family, but she is still precious.

http://tare.dfps.state.tx.us/search/ChildDetail.jsp?TareId=62915

Maybe you will see a child(ren) on the website and adopt them????

You can also look at children on the Heart Galleries of Texas here: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/adoption_and_foster_care/texasheartgallery/default.asp

(scroll down to the middle of the page)

This is the link to the TARE homepage: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/default.asp

(scroll all the way to the bottom, link is on the right "view waiting children")

Blessings!!!

How long???

I am a certified teacher but have not taught in a public school since I graduated. I don't think many people know this about me. I want to help children. But with the way things are going in the education world right now, I don't think that's the place for me.

I have always felt a calling to be a foster parent. And I have always wanted to adopt a kid or two. I love what I do. I love helping these children and watching them grow and develop while in my care.

However, I LONG for a daughter of my own. I absolutely adore my 3 boys. They are wonderful. But I want a little girl. Just one! But if God wants to bless me with 2, I will take them both!!! How long must we wait. What does God have for us while we are waiting? Is there still something I must learn? Something I must do?

I do know that I am definitely more empathetic to my friends that have had infertility issues. It is so hard watching other friends adopt. Especially when it's girl. But at the same time, I am so excited for them.

**Please forgive me if I have offended you. That is not my intention. Just expressing what's been on my heart for a LONG time.**

Thanks for reading.

Maybe I can do better this time :)

Well, I am going to try this blogging thing again. I am hoping to at least post one blog a week. No promises, but I will try.

Well, I went to our last MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting today. It was fun! We did 7 or so relay races. I never knew mamas could be so competitive. LOL!! Then we had a nice lunch provided by MOPS. The kids had a great time and fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Now, time to finish cleaning after not doing anything yesterday. Ya know, cause it was Mother's day and all.

Happy reading!

Again!

So I started this blog a couple years ago. Mainly to keep my family informed of how Mike was doing while he was deployed in Iraq. Well, I didn't do a good job of posting here. So I am going to try again! Consider it a "new year resolution" if you will.

To catch you up, last February we became foster parents. And we had Billy placed with us on February 15, 2008. Now, almost a year later, we are finally going to get him adopted. We don't have a court date yet, but pretty much everything is in place.

One week later, we had another placement of a 3 year old girl. She was a sweety but in October, she was moved to a different home so she could be placed with her brother. Mike and I hope to keep in contact with her.

Then in April of 08we had a baby placed with us. She is adorable and the light of our life. She is an angel.

And now, last Thursday we had a baby boy placed with us. He is such a cutie. He is also a very good eater. And thankfully, a very good sleeper.

Trayce is having a ball with his new siblings. Who could have thought at this time last year, that we would have the big family we now have. I love it!!!! I am enjoying being a full time mommy!

That's all for now.