Nope Again

Once again, the judge has decided not to place the children whose hearing was today. So no new children in our home tonight. But I guess that's okay. This one really didn't bother me as much, because I knew what to expect. After all, it's happened at least twice before for us with this judge. Fortunately, I have learned to ask who the judge will be in advance now. And then I know what to expect.

At this point, I do not anticipate any new children until at least July. And then I work Monday - Thursday, so the likelihood of them placing a child with us then is still slim. My summer school continues until the end of July, so likely it won't be until August that we'd get our soonest placement. Unless it was an abandoned baby. But ... I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Right now, we'll just continue on as a family of three (plus the dog) and work on making that bond as tight as possible. Next Thursday will be our six month anniversary, our official mark to "legal guardianship". I personally think it calls for a celebration--at least a cake. Maybe an ice cream cake. It's a big stepping stone, to be sure.

Advanced Notice

Friday, I got a call from the county notifying us of an upcomign hearing (Monday afternoon) that involves some children that may need to be placed. In the past, when this has happened before, the judge has always ruled to keep the child with his/her parents (at least, when it has happened to us). Before we were given one month notice, and then when the placement didn't happen, it was devastating. I do not anticipate a placement being made Monday, due to this and also due to the fact that funding for new placements has been frozen (until July?). But still, it was nice to be called. We were asked if we would be interested in a young boy. They actually ended up calling my husband (YAY!) because they couldn't get a hold of me. I was very happy about this, because LAST time they didn't get a hold of me, they did not call him and ended up placing the child with another famil. I cried and cried, because it was the oe time I did not have my cell phone on me. GRRRR!!

Anyway, when I called back to let the caseworkier know that we WOULD be interested in the boy, if they placed him, she said we couldn't have him unless we were also willing to take his slightly older, toddler sister. So I caleld my husband back and we agreed that we could do this (though we'd have to figure out the logistics on Monday). Fortunately for us, we have a busy weekend planned so it's not like I'm stting around thinking about this the entire time. Granted, it's in the back of my mind, but it's not all-consuming. And I've set up the pack and plan and we have the convertible crib up, so there wouldn't be much to do Monday (besides get a second car seat, perhaps). And if tey don't come, I can be relieved by the fact htat life would have been hectic with these two. If they DO come, it is likely veryshort term, so I don't think I'll mind having my life disrupted for a ltitle bit . Plus, it will keep me in the foster parenting game, which is a great place to be. It's been three months since we had our last little boy, so I've been very anxious to have another placement.

So it's likely to be a very long day tomorrow. But that's okay with me. My friend is going to cmoe over (she adopted four children) and talk to me about a prohranm that she's starting. And that will help keep me busy and occupuied until the afternoon call (they wil call either way). I will do my best to update this Monday night, to let you know the outcome :)

It's Almost Time...

...to invest in one of these:


Our annual foster parent home re-evaluation is next week. This always sparks a lot of conversation between my husband and myself.

This year, we decided that it may just be time to move the office downstairs and convert that room into another bedroom. By only having the nursery available, we are limiting the kids we are able to take in. And we really think that elementary kids are a good fit for our family. And we also know that SOME day God will bless us with a younger kid. But as long as we have kids, there's no rush. I'm definitely interested in having a big family. So I guess this is a step in the right direction. I'm just glad my hubbie is starting to be on board with this now, as well.

Speaking of which, it's movie time. Gotta run :)

Stripped of Titles--But Not Hope

Well, our foster daughter has decided to stop calling us Mom and Dad. She said she thinks it hurts her mother's feelings. I have to admit, I don't particularly enjoy the part of foster parenting that requires you to give all you have -- and more, and get no credit. And I don't like that biological parents give nothing--or sometimes give really bad "stuff" and they get treated as royalty. Grr. Such is life.

No word on the potential adoption, so I've stopped even considering that. I think the lawyer's office has moved, as well. I did email them to ask one way or the other if they got our paperwork, but never heard back. Needless to say, we'll likely use a different lawyer when/if we ever get to the adoption process.

Now that our first family vacation is behind us (it went mostly well--we should have laid out our expectations better, but this is how we learn), I am thinking that there is nothing else in our way that keeps us from starting the foster parenting. But time ticks on. The only thing I can do is use this time to get myself in a better routine about keeping the house clean and working on projects around the house that WON'T get finished once a child gets here. First on that list is the baby quilt that will go in the nursery. Too bad I misplaced my thimble. I'm supposed to have the quilting done on it before my quilting friend comes back from her mission trip on Monday. I guess this will mean I need to run and get another thimble, and spend some serious time over the weekend quilting away! I will post a picture when it's all done. I don't think I've posted any pictures here, eh? I at least should post the picture of the nursery. Here you go:















Here's hoping we'll use this room some day. We also re-did our foster daughter's bedroom. It was "neutral" green with blue and yellow accents--moons and stars and stuff. I like it much more now:
Much better! We still have yet to get blinds for the windows, but we're sure that we'll keep this room red/orange even after she graduates. It's an upbeat/happy kind of room.