10 Things I've Learned Since May

1. I know more about the treatment and killing of lice than I ever cared to know.
2. I spend more money than ever buying clothes from Children's Place.
3. My body has gone back to sleeping the same amount as I did in college.
4. Sometimes I want to smack birth parents.
5. Mother's Day Out is worth every penny.
6. Watching a baby learning to walk is amazing.
7. Temper tantrums are from the devil.
8. My house is never clean.
9. Always have sippy cups ready to go first thing in the morning.
10. This is totally what I was created to do.

Yes, I'm Still Here and Mostly Alive

Blogging, showering, getting someplace on time have all taken a back burner since May. Before I get 5,293 comments asking for pictures and specifics, I can't give you any of those. Rest assured, these kids are super cute and look like they fit into our family. They came in May and were the tiniest things you've ever seen, so much so that they didn't even make it on "the charts" at the doctor's office. Fast forward to present, they are on the charts moving upward. It's amazing what happens when kids gets get proper food, rest, and attention.

Bueller?

Bueller? Bueller? That's kinda where we are at. Opened, sitting, waiting, not knowing. Maybe our name will be called next?

On a positive note, Big Al comes home from school each day asking, "So, do we have anyone?" When I say no, he has a disappointed look on his face. I consider this to be GOOD! He's had some up and down feelings about this whole thing, but this tells me he is 100% on board.

Guess What?

We passed our final walk-thru this morning and tomorrow we officially open!(That means we are in the database and any county in Arkansas can call us.) It feels so weird to be at this point, the reality of it all looms in the distance. Perhaps when my phone starts ringing in the middle of the night reality will hit!

Meanwhile, anyone want to come over for the Royal Wedding tomorrow? Tea and scones will be served promptly at 4 a.m.

Months, Weeks, and Almost Days

Months have turned into weeks and I anticipate the weeks are going to be changing into days before we know it. We are still waiting on our last home study to be completed so we can open. A few weeks ago I discovered that we lacked yet another background check. Perhaps this week will be the one that shifts from counting weeks to days.

Meanwhile, if you are reading this and live in the NW Arkansas metro, the CALL Foster Kids Closet is in desperate need of NEW underwear for boys and girls (all sizes) and socks. More times than not, children come into care with nothing needing to be clothed and that includes underwear. Most of us wouldn't let our kids wear used undergarments, so the next time you are shopping consider picking up a few packages of undies or socks to donate to the CALL Foster Closet.

Foster Care, Part III

God is moving, He is working, He is sovereign. Amen?

Just to bring you up to speed one what is going on at our house. January was a ridiculous month full of 30 hours worth of training, a ream of paperwork, CPR certification, and new friends. February brought two home study meetings which went smoothly and remarkably quick. March brings us to waiting. Waiting on someone to go through our ream of paperwork and schedule us for a DHS home visit. I’m prepping that visit to be a check everything in your house including what’s in your underwear drawer, Mrs. Larsen type of visit. Maybe it’s not, but I’m mentally preparing myself for a complete stranger to walk through the house poking around in drawers and checking to see what I can cram underneath my bed. (Let me tell you, it’s impressive what I can pack under a bed and in a closet!)

Can I just tell you that fostering and adopting is popping up everywhere in my life? From Bible Study to ads to call-in radio shows, I’m getting confirmation left and right. The latest occurrence was last week when I was driving home from a friend’s house at midnight. An ad comes on the secular station I’m jamming to that says multiple children in the foster care system are eligible for adoption, even teenagers. Ok, I got it; you don’t have to give me blinking marquee signs every single time! How great is it that even at midnight God still has time to remind me that we’re on the right path.

Then yesterday, this story breaks locally. It will take your breath away.

Please pray for patience. It’s very hard to read stories like these and know we are stuck in a broken bureaucratic pipeline.

New Socks & Undies Needed

If anyone has a connection to someone at Hanes, Jockey, or Fruit of the Loom, give me a shout. The CALL Foster Child Clothes Closet is looking for someone to donate NEW children's socks and undies. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't ever put my own child in used undies, therefore, I would never put my foster child in used undies.

Let me know if you are able to help.