The Baby Conference

This conference looks like something I would love to go to! Too bad I don't live a bit closer to San Antonio, Texas. If you care about adoption, orphans, and, of course, babies, this conference is for you! Hey, you can even have tea with Michelle Duggar, now wouldn't that be fun??

Thoughts from my girl...

L is 3 and has recently started making comments that have me wondering what all she does know, or remember.

The other day as I was in the kitchen fixing up some lunch for her, out of the blue she said "I like having a mommy".

Just this morning she got up and as we were snuggling on the couch she said, " When I in China, I not have a momma." "I was really, really worried about that." "And I cried."

Isn't that precious? I have not explained much to her yet, as I wanted to get her lifebook done before I start to explain it all. She does know she was adopted, and is from China, but I want to have her lifebook done so she can see it all in pictures and detail as we explain it. I hope to have it completed in the next few months.

We always begin our homeschool day with a Bible and devotional reading. This morning we were reading about how God has plans for GOOD for us, and not of evil. Then I asked them what good things they think God has planned for them. L's response was this: "He wants to give a gumball to us!"

M immediately burst out laughing at this one.

I so wish to remember the times when life was that simple. When a gumball was all I needed to make me happy and content for the day.

Was it a chocolate bunny that died on the cross?

I saw that saying on a sign out in front of a church the other day. I thought it was perfect. If there is any holiday that the true meaning has been completely covered up, been misinterpreted, and hidden, it's this one. I went out shopping today and realized how very much Easter is marketed as nothing but bunnies, chicks, candy, and eggs. So sad...and so...empty.

I choose to focus on the the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. I contemplate all that He did when He died for me, and the miracle of His resurrection. It can be a hard concept to grasp, but it is so important to understand this. I decided to do a quick search of the true meaning of Easter, and there are a lot of quick, simple to read sites that can explain what Easter is all about. And here is a definition I found:

Eas·ter (str) KEY NOUN:
A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus.

I am sure there are many definitions, but this is the first one I saw. I know there is a lot of history on how christians began celebrating Easter, and I hope to study more and more about this, but for now I look at it in a very simple manner. Celebrating Jesus Christ, and the day he rose from the dead after dying for our sins.

Our Easter begins with going to church in the morning. This year I offered to have a brunch at my house afterward. It will be simple, but a time to gather with family, as we celebrate Christ's resurrection. With the girls, we will do resurrection eggs, which is a carton of plastic eggs with a small object inside each one. As they open each egg, and look at the object, we will read a story to them explaining how that object relates to Jesus dying on the cross for us, then rising again, and what it all means. This is something we do each year. We will spend the rest of the day just being together at home, and of course, taking care of precious babies!!!

Wishing you a blessed Easter!

Baby C's story...

A few days before our newest foster child, baby C came home, my husband and I had a short conversation. I had this "feeling" (I think the feeling was that mother's intuition, or possibly God preparing me for what was to come) that we might be getting a "call" soon, as it had been a few months, and that usually doesn't happen. I asked him what we would do if we were called to take in another infant since we are licensed for two kids. (We initially got licensed for 2 under the age of 2 in case there was a sibling group that needed us). Well, we sort of looked at each other, and didn't know what to say. We really couldn't imagine things with another baby in the house. We decided to think about it, and talk the next day. The next day was a monday. I was sick in bed, missing work, and Jeff came in the room to tell me that we just got a call to take a newborn! I looked at him with a shocked look on my face, then plopped my head back down on my pillow and stared at the ceiling. After pondering this for about half an hour, I went out and asked Jeff what he said when they called. He just said he would talk to me and we would get back to them. He was actually considering it! This was shocking to me, as there was a time when he wouldn't consider starting foster care, after we adopted L from China, because she can be a handful at times, and there were many times we felt our plate was full just dealing with her tantrums and meltdowns. He then said I should call back to find out more information on this newborn (at this point, we didn't know if it was a boy or a girl). I called the guy that called us, and left a message. He never called back that day, so I assumed a home was found. On tuesday, late in the afternoon, Jeff asked me to try calling him again, to make sure he knew that we did try calling back. When I did this, the response I got was not what I expected! When I told him who I was he was so excited to hear back from us, and he said he didn't get my message and that he really needed us, and wanted to place this baby with us. I was shocked, to say the least. There was no way I could say no then. This man has wanted to place a baby with us for a couple years now. He knows we signed up for foster/adopt, and he had called us often in the past, before we were ready to take a placement. He gave our number to the assigned social worker, and she called us back with all the info. Baby C has siblings, all of which have been adopted. We don't know what will happen with baby C as of yet. Her parents are both involved, and it could be that they are going to get themselves together enough to parent her, or it could be that a relative will step forward, or she may need an adoptive family. It is so early on, we can't be sure of anything. So far, having two babies in the house has not been that difficult. I think God knew exactly what He was doing. Baby L sleeps through the night, and is becoming more and more independent every day. This was probably the earliest we would have ever felt okay with accepting another placement. So far so good. We are enjoying both baby girls, and the older girls are enjoying them too! We are blessed...

And the roller coaster continues...

Wow, when I boarded the roller coaster a few weeks ago, I had no idea it would be such a crazy, unpredictable ride! I can't even begin to explain what has happened the last few days. One day things are looking good, the very next day, the plan has taken off in a completely different direction! All I can do is sit back, and let the ride complete itself.

It does feel like we took one step forward and a thousand steps back, but won't know that for sure for awhile. If you are an edge of your seat, thrill seeking kind of person, someone who thrives on change and adversity, foster care may be for you. For those of us that like stability, a sense of knowing, and predictability, it's much more challenging. Right now I don't see an end in sight. Thankfully...I have God and these precious little ones to focus on, and that makes it all worthwhile.

Be aware...

The other day I heard someone talking about how backwards things have gotten in our society. One example used was that in public schools, parents must consent and be notified if their children request a tylenol from the school nurse, but parents do not have to be notified if the student requests an abortion. Then I just turned on the news and saw this story:
http://www.komonews.com/news/88971742.html

I do not believe a 15 year old child can make a decision like this on their own and not regret it. Abortion advocates fail to talk about the prolonged emotional distress that women live with who have had abortions. Parents should be notified when their minor child is going through something like this and schools should not bend over backwards to get the child to an abortion clinic as fast as they can. This is unfortunate, unfair to the unborn child and the pregnant child, outrageous, and unfortunately, happening more and more.

BABIES update!

Little baby C is doing great! After the court hearing tuesday, we found out she will be staying, but, as with all foster care, knowing how long is the question that goes unanswered...sometimes for a very long time. The visiting nurse stopped in today, and despite all of our issues with feeding, she managed to gain 4 ounces in less than a week! I was pretty happy, considering I was concerned that she may have lost weight. She is still sleeping a lot, but staying awake a bit more at times. She is getting stronger, and eating better. So far, things are going well, and the adjustment to two babies in the house has been smooth. The hardest part is the middle of the night feedings-Jeff and I both love our sleep, so this is something we have had to get used to again. There is more to our story with baby C, and I will share that in an upcoming post!

And here is sweet baby L, who has been crawling for a few weeks now!!! This has added a new dynamic to our household...babyproofing everything, being on your toes at every moment watching what she is getting into, etc. She is such a sweet baby, and she continues to laugh out loud ALL the time, and smile at least a thousand times a day.

The sad news is...the great great uncle and his wife are still interested in adopting her. This may be a good thing...but sad for all of us. I will continue to pray and trust that the Lord's hand is on her and her situation, and that we will be ready and prepared for the day she could leave. We, of course would love to keep her and be her forever family...but know that this may not be the plan God has for her at this point. One thing I do know....there are so many people that love this baby, including her birth mother. Her birthmother is so young, and so lost, and seemed to have never had a chance in life. It is heartbreaking. Another thing I know is that no matter how much you say you won't get involved in anything else but caring for the baby when you do foster care, you can't help but feel a burden for these birth families of the little children you are caring for. It is hard not to want to reach out and do something, anything. There are fine lines you have to walk, and you have to constantly weigh every step you take, and hope you didn't cross the line at any point. It has become a ministry of sorts, and I know that the greatest gift I can give is the gift of prayer to these sweet children and their families. More updates soon!