And Baby Makes a Party of 6

*Blogger won't let me make paragraphs? Someone help!* When we took our first two foster children into our home over a year ago the Hubs and I said, "That's enough kids, thanks." But what happens when those two kids have a sibling born? That's easy, you take that child too. Why not? I mean, our house is small to the point of busting at the seams. What we once saw as an organized, clean home has now been transformed into a 24-7 daycare center. Did I mention it's loud? All. The. Time. Did I mention there are sticky handprints on the walls? Stickers from the doctor's office are stuck on doors, walls, car seats, and who knows where else? It drives me crazy. I sat next to a nervous Mom several months ago at a parenting seminar held in our church. She was expressing her fears of adding another child to the family. I sat there thinking, she must have 4 kids already to be this nervous. Nope. This was her second child. I really wanted to lean over and say, "Lady, you have it MADE. Try taking on a 2 year old and 9 month old and 10 months later adding a brand new baby to the mix. I'd trade a day with you anytime, let me know." In all honesty, I have to say that I was a bit nervous after telling the caseworker that we would take Sister and Brother. During the phone call I was excited, scratching down notes so I could go on a shopping spree for appropriate supplies. It was when I broke the "Honey, I just said we would take on two kids" new to my husband that I realized what I had just done. I moved our family from a party of 3 with no booster seats or highchairs to a party of 5 with one booster and one highchair. Today, panic washes over the hostess stand as we bring in our 4-ring circus that is now a party of 6 with one highchair, a carrier swing/sling, and one booster seat. After almost 5 months, we almost have moving our 4-ring circus down to an art. We still get tripped up by the "I have to pee pee" moments or my favorite - "You didn't get the diaper bag?!?!" moments. At the end of the day, our party of 3 wouldn't trade our now party of 6 for the world. I'm not sure how long we are going to be a party of 6, but we are willing to be one for as long as needed, even if that means forever. Interested in Foster Care in Arkansas? Visit The CALL for more inforamtion.

Survive to Thrive

When we started this journey we knew that we would be taking in kids that were simply surviving day to day life. What we didn’t expect is how fast kids can go from surviving to thriving. The transformation that has taken place before our very eyes over the last 9 months is astonishing. Those dark eyed, blank, lifeless faces are now faces of joy, life, and growth. They also went from eating every single type of processed food imaginable to now eating corn and peas.

Everything about this journey is a process towards transformation. The court has a process, the case follows a process, our house has a process (called rules and boundaries), and most importantly, God has a transformation process. He brings us out of darkness and into the light. Transformation. He takes our life and infuses it with hope, joy, and peace.

This experience has taught me more about the relationship God has with His children. I see Him in everything – from the tantrum, to the disobedience, to the extension of grace. I do the exact same things these kids do; only I do it in a reserved, adult fashion. If there was ever a way for God to hold up a mirror to our face, He does it through children. I dare say it’s even more evident when you take a lost child into your home and give them shelter, food, clothes, and most of all, love.