7QT: foster care adoptions

Instead of the traditional quick takes this week, the topic of fostering has been on my heart. So I am blogging...and adding numbers.  :)

-1-

I LOVE talking about foster care adoptions.  It is always an adrenaline rush when I get to share with others that you do not actually have to have 20k banked to afford adoption.  Also, it seems unfair, but we had zero wait for either of our placements.   In our county there are lots of kids that need homes.  I am grateful to be the mama that gets to provide that safe forever home for my two little ones.

-2-

Scrolling through waiting children lists is so challenging.  27,000 kids age out of foster care every year without a forever family.  And then there are sibling sets. I wish that I had the courage in our childless years to jump full throttle into a sibling set. 

-3-

Last year Catie's teenage half-sibling entered into foster care.  A home was found for her before we even knew of her situation.  We have begun visits with T & her foster mom.  Her foster mom is a 32 year old single teacher that was a mentor for T.  I am so impressed that this woman stepped up to the challenge of parenting a teenager.  They are such a unique and perfect fit.  

-4-

Check out one of my favorite foster adoption resources for Myths & Realities of Foster Care.  

-5-

I tried to reorganize my blog a bit.  On the top I have a new page on the topic of Open Adoptions.  On my side bar I added a few labels on the topic to make searching easier.  

-6-

I totally get how hard it is for people to wrap their brains around fostering.  But knowing how many kids are out there waiting, I would encourage would be foster parents to do whatever it takes to break into the world of foster care and start meeting these kids.  In our adoption & foster care journeys we were open to just about everything except a drug addicted child.  Now I can not imagine my life without the gift of my sweet Catie.  Meeting foster kids in person gives you even more courage to say yes. 

-7-

Resources are available!  I listed a great one, The Dave Thomas Foundation.  I would also love to help anyone with questions as they consider navigating down this road. 

quick takes friday

1. I keep checking my blog every day and there are no updates!  Sorry ya'll!

2. Two weeks until two weeks of Florida!  I can not remember the last time I was there during beach season.  Can't wait for the time away with my family...and our built in babysitters (aka grandparents).

3. Sooo, we finally have the beautiful warm weather I have been pining for.  But after two days of open windows, our upstairs was 85 and this pregnant woman was not surviving.  So the AC has already started rolling in our house.

4. Feeling the baby move now!  I have been without progesterone for a month (my own doing after my non-NaPro doc freaked out with the "fibroid" issue).  I have been constantly worried for the baby's safety.  Feeling him or her move is tremendously reassuring.  But I still need to get my numbers rechecked by Camp Hill (bad bad FCP).

5. Names.  Starting to feel the pressure now.  Not sure why, but it seems we should have some better prospective names.  Well, I do know why....my husband has somewhat agreed to finding out the sex, IF we can figure out the names before the news.  Either way...you won't know the name until birth. ;-)  That is one secret I can keep.

6. Prayers.  Ongoing for the special people in my life that are trying to conceive or adopt.

7.  I had a lovely play date with a friend & fellow blogger. Here are the kiddos:
The plunging neckline is because someone had too much fun playing in the water fountain and had to wear her mommy's sweater to lunch.  Don't you just love all this "cheese"?

8.  Breaking the rules to say I am still in shock that I am the momma to 4 little people!!  Our God is a big God and He is a God of miracles.  (now please revert back to #6 and join me in praying!)