Anguish...

I saw this on another blog...so true of what is happening today. Such a profound message.

Babies...update!!!

Okay, time for a quick update on the foster baby girls!!

Baby L, who is now almost 13 months old is doing so well! We had a little b-day party for her, and she was so cute! She started walking right before her first b-day, however, she now has decided she'd rather crawl again. She still walks off and on throughout the day when she feels like it. She is a joy! She laughs at EVERYTHING! I mean, anything I show her, a picture of someone, something I pull out of the fridge, a toy, anything, she laughs! She is very smart. She is saying about 10 words, and climbs up on anything and everything, so needless to say, I am exhausted!! We have transitioned her into the big girls room, and it is actually going well! Her dad, who came forward for the first time at the last court hearing, never did follow through with the dna test he asked for, and the judge warned him that he needed to step up quickly this late in the game. I just found out her moms trial was postponed until mid July, so we continue to wait...........

Baby C is precious. She is finally smiling at me, and gets really happy when she sees me. This was slow to come, since she was a preemie. She is almost 4 mos. old, but still developmentally a 3 month old due to prematurity. She is rolling over, but still has very little head control. We are working on tummy time, and she is getting much better at tolerating it. Nothing new on her case, and unless the parents make a lot of progress in the next few months, her plan will be changed to adoption this fall.

We have been busy taking classes to renew our foster license since it has been 3 years since we were licensed, and we are up for renewal. We have to fill out paperwork, do another background check, and complete 36 hours of training. We have a few more hours to complete, and then the home visit to check out our home again. It's been a lot of work, but this last year of fostering has been a blast. We are loving it, and hope to continue for as long as the Lord calls us to do it...and I only wish we would have done it sooner, since the need is so great. The harvest truly is plentiful, but the workers are few. Matthew 9:37

Kids or cars???

There are a lot of decisions coming up, changes happening, exciting things that lie ahead. This past week, DH and I had a little getaway together. We attended an adoption meeting (more on this soon), and we did some car shopping. We have two mini vans at the moment. A newer one, and our old one. We need to sell our older one and replace it with a car. Like most guys, DH has his eye on a few that he likes. Now, you must understand, I have a VERY frugal (cheap) husband. He has a very hard time making decisions because he must get the best deal. The car must get excellent gas mileage, and be something that has good reviews and will last awhile. I really have no interest in cars at this point, knowing the ones that catch my eye, are not fuel efficient, and would not make a lot of sense to purchase, other than for the looks. I was listening to Dave Ramsey on the car radio the other day, and he stated something about the average american paying over $400 for a car payment each month. He always tells people to sell their cars to get rid of that payment, and it makes sense. We have never had car payments...ever. We wait until we have enough to afford a used car, then research the vehicle that makes the most sense now, and start looking. We then purchase the car in full. This has worked out great, as it relieves us of monthly car payments, which then means we aren't stuck working a 40 hour work week to pay for it, and we have much more family time. Currently I work one 10 hour day per week, and Jeff teaches 3 days per week at our local primary school.

As I accompanied my husband around to a few car lots the other day, I must say, I did have a little love affair with a beautiful little SUV. It was the most unique bluish-green color, with silver trim, and it was all sparkly and cute. I found myself daydreaming of taking it on country drives, and into the city on weekends, until I asked about the price. I returned back to reality, and realized that my kids come first. At this point in my life, I choose kids. I could have that lovely little vehicle if I really wanted...but that would mean many hours away from home, and away from my kids. It just doesn't make sense. It also comes down to what you value, and what you allow to get in the way of your dreams. Our society could easily sway me in the direction of materialism, and work-a-holism, chasing a career, and more money, but I am stubborn, and refuse to listen to the world's viewpoint, and I have learned a little along the way. None of that is really all that fulfulling. No car can ever take the place of 4 little girls smiling at me each day, as I cherish the time I have with them, and realize that even with all the time I do have, it still slips by much too quickly. Kids or cars? There will never be a question in my mind about this one. Kids win by far.

A no update, update!

We are busy here, babies to tend to, farm animals to take care of, VBS for the big girls, planning summer trips away, painting the barn, and getting ready to possibly add an addition to the house!

Baby L (who is 1 now, and been with us almost a year!)and baby C (who is almost 4 mos. old) remain with us! :) We continue to wait to hear what is happening with their cases. I thought I would know by now if baby L's mom was going to remain in jail or be let out, but apparently the trial hasn't ended yet. Still waiting...
Baby C's parents have not been doing well either, not showing to visits, etc. I hope we know something about both cases by the end of the week! Stay tuned, and I will also do a proper update on both babies!

International Baby Food

Baby L is growing up!!! Not only did she just turn ONE, she decided to start walking today, and she now dines on international baby food! Her favorite so far is the russian Borscht, but she also seems to enjoy the Indian baby dal as well. We haven't tried them all yet, but so far I'm pretty proud of her, as she seems to enjoy trying the different flavors of the world (using her own spoon, too)! Way to go, baby L!!!

Sunday thoughts...

So far, it has been the wetest spring in my area since 1948. I am originally from the Seattle area, so rain was something I was used to. However, living on the dry, hot, side of the state for the past 17 years is something I have had to work to get used to. Sun is something we normally see almost every day here, but this year, it has been been replace by clouds and rain. I love it!!!!!!!!!

The heat is something I have had to learn to tolerate, and I don't tolerate it well. I do like sunny days, but I prefer to stay in the shade, or indoor air conditioning if it's anywhere above 80 degrees.

I have used these rainy days as great learning opportunities for my kids. People tend to refer to the rain as "bad" weather, or "yucky" weather. I like to teach my children that it's just weather, and God made all kinds, sun, rain, wind, snow, hail, and more. Complaining about a rainy day, or calling it a negative name cannot change it, so why do that? I have been able to teach my kids about what all this rain will do, and what it is doing for our garden, our lawn, the lakes, and more. We go out and find the beauty in it. We learn to splash in puddles, and take walks in the rain. There's nothing better than a walk in the rain! Another thing I love about rain is the opportunity to come inside, and grab a warm blanket, a book, and get cozy on the couch while listening to rain on the roof. There are so many positives about rain, and I think we can use it as a tool for teaching our children ways to look at the positive sides of everything, by showing them that rain is really a good thing and brings us many gifts. Thank God for rain!!!

Only two more days...

Only Two days left on this Awesome campaign!!! Can you spare a few dollars to help children come home?? I really hope they make it to their goal, this is such a great cause! Click on the link above.

I have been thinking a lot about this lately, and how we as christians should be stepping out and supporting our fellow brother's and sister's in the cause for the orphan. There are so many things we can do, like support them financially, even if it is just a little-it all adds up, pray for these families, help them wit fundraisers, offer childcare, etc., etc. There is also a new ministry through a church in my state that is helping people bring as many foster children into christian homes by casting a vision to the church's, and showing them that it is a responsibility of all of us to help, as this is what the Lord tells us to do. They are doing things like helping families build rooms onto their homes to offset costs, so that they have more room for more children that need a place to belong. They speak at church's and share the importance of getting involved in such an important cause. They teach the church to be an entire body of support. How can we look away? How can we not help? These are little children, through no fault of their own, have been left without families to love and care for them. The need is great, and it is not only orphanages across the world where kids are in need, but right in our own backyards.
So many people think that adoption is just for those with infertility issues. This is not the case. The Bible clearly states that it is our responsibility to care for orphans. From a very young age, somehow this was something I knew I must do. It wasn't something I learned in church, and it wasn't something I was told to do. It was something I knew the Bible said. I can clearly remember early in ny marriage looking at myself in the mirror one day and knowing this is what I would do. Two international adoptions, and 2 foster babies later, here I am. For us, this is normal. For us, this is the way it should be, and for us, it is the most blessed life. My prayer is that more and more people will open up to the possibilities of building families in these ways. You will be so glad you did.