One year ago today

[hsmominky]

One year ago today, (October 28,2009) we recieved our license to become Foster Parents. This was not the start of our journey, However, we had started classes in August and more importantly than that we had recieved our first placement on October 27,2008. Our very first placement was part of a sibling set of seven. There were seven children ages 8 weeks to 7 years old. The oldest three were girls and the youngest four were boys. The youngest four came to live with us. I instantly went from having two children to have six. They were 8 weeks, one, two, three, four and eight. It was an exciting time for us. We were finally Foster Parents and we had four little boys in our care. That quickly took a turn for the worse though. The boys had no discipline whatsoever and they began ganging up on my four year old. The older three quickly started holding my Son down and kicking him. I tried handling it the very best that I could, however, on Thanksgiving while my Family was gathered at the house, they held him down, kicked him in the nose and it broke his nose. They must have kicked it just at the right angle. I realized at that moment that we had to have these children moved, no matter how much we had fallen in love with them, because we had to protect our own children. We do miss them and we still talk to their Mother. That was our first placement and the first four children in our care. Our next placment came in the form of a Handsome, Blond haired, Blue eyed, One year old. He came to us in Decemeber and he was such a blessing to us. Our entire family fell in love with him. When we got him he could not walk, talk, hold a spoon or anything else. By the time he was returned to his Mother, four months later, he was walking, talking, running, feeding himself, using a sippy cup, smiling and laughing. He will forever be a part of our hearts. We love him and miss him everyday. We pray that his Mother truly has changed and that he will have a good life. Placement number three came in the form of two siblings, a boy and a girl, one and three. They were a joy to us as well. Their stay with us was only a month long as they went to live with a Grandmother who loved them very much and was very anxious to have them in her home. We were sad to see them go but we were so happy for them. They were starting a new life with their Grandmother who loved them so much. It was a happy ending for them and though we missed them, we Thanked God for giving them such a loving Grandmother. Placement four came in the form of a sibling set of four, our second sibling set of four. These four were older than the age range that we had agreed to take but they needed us. Their current Foster home was being closed and they weren't sure where they were going to go next. We agreed to take them and help them access their needs. It was very obvious early on that they were going to need a theraputic foster home. We provided them with a loving home for six weeks while their caseworker found a therputic foster home who could meet all of their needs. The day they left the older two told me how much that they had enjoyed being at our home and that we had taught them about Love, Responisbility and Respect. Placement 5 and 6 are currently in our home. They are children 12, 13 and 14 that we have had in our home and that has only been in one years time. Placement 5 is a 4 year old and an eight month old who are half siblings. We have had them for five months now. We have grown to love them so much. We are praying that we will get to adopt them but this is a very complicated case and we are not sure where this is going go. We are trusting God with our hearts and the hearts of our Children. Placement 6 is a precious baby girl who is Four months old. We have had her for a month thus far. We were told when she came that she would more likely than not, be an adoptive placement, but you can never count on anything with Foster Care. Now there are some things that have come to light and she may or may not be able to stay with us. We are praying so hard that she will be our forever baby girl but we know that God never fails and that his plan will be revealed. We can only trust him. Should these children leave us we have not decided whether we will keep our home open or not. This past year has been an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs. It has helped us become closer and allowed us to touch the lives of 14 children. We have learned a lot about ourselves and our own family as well as about the things other Children have had to go through. We will just take this day by day and pray for God to show us the answers that we need and ask him to continue to protect our hearts as we are on this journey. One year ago today- we opened our home and became Foster Parents- and I am so thankful that we listened to God and took this journey. One year ago today I became not Mom to my own Birth Children- but also Mom to 14 other children across the State of Kentucky., One year ago today- God taught me that my heart could grow bigger than I ever thought it could and that I could love people I had never met before. One year ago today we began this journey and I look forward to being able to write about the wonderful things being Foster parents has taught us and how it has touched our lives One year from Today. If God is calling you to be a Foster Parent....listen to him. I will be more than happy to help you in any way I can. God Bless, Amy

[Krystal.Ingalls]

Oct. 28, 2009 at 4:51 PM

You are an amazing mom!  =)  I'm so glad all 14 children had a place in your home for a little while and a place in your heart forever.  I want to be a foster parent someday, I currently have a special needs toddler and another baby on the way, so I'm going to focus on my little ones for now.  But, when they get older I would love to do this.

[love2snorkel70]

Oct. 28, 2009 at 5:17 PM

I have followed along with your posts here and on facebook.  I know you are slightly at a crossroads and we are too.  In our first 16 months we have only had our 3 babies and they are still with us.  I often wonder if out story was more like yours how I would feel. 

I had to drop the twins off today for a parenting class and met another foster mom there.  She had overheard a bit of a debate as I was truly complaining about everyone's lack of concern for my schedule.  She assumed I was new to fostering and told me a bit of her story.  She had just adopted her second and was really considering closing her home for many of the reasons that cross my mind daily.  She is also tired of being unappreciated.  I was beginning to wonder if we all feel this way?!

But, as I read you post I think my calling is to stay and maybe help with respite or emergency care after we are able to adopt.  I don't think we could handle another long term placement.  When we brought our first newborn home from the hospital, the CW at the time said this was a done deal.  16 months later we are still getting the run-around!

So, my point is follow your heart and your calling.  I know you are a foster parent for a reason and you have so much love to give.  You are strong and were chosen for a reason.  Read your post and think of all the positives you have passed along to some fortunate children who were able to cross your family's path.  Maybe you will need a break until your new home is built and you are settled.  Maybe you will need a break while you are pregnant! :)  But don't give up on helping those little lives in the best way you know how.

I appreciate what you do!!

HUGS!! Beth :)

[Ellena]

Oct. 28, 2009 at 6:22 PM

What  wonderful story. :)

[misty1_sd]

Oct. 28, 2009 at 9:20 PM

My grandmother did foter placements when I was a kid, I don't really remember much of it. She has two adopted now, brothers 19 and 5. She's had them both since they were babies and they are very much part of the family now. Congrats to you fo what you've done. It takes a strong family and a big heart to be able to do what you do. You should be very proud for what you've done.

[MyGiftsFromGod]

Oct. 29, 2009 at 12:42 AM

Thank God for you!  I don't think I could ever do it because of how attached I know I would become.  It would kill me to want to keep little children I had grown to love only to have to let them go.  A couple of years ago I looked into fostering and adoption, and was surprised to learn that in Indiana, you can't have very many children of your own and still foster or adopt.  I think that is so sad because there are a lot of people who have a lot of love to give.

[micheledo]

Oct. 29, 2009 at 6:30 AM What an incredible journal! Thanks so much for sharing your journey and all that the Lord has done in your life this last year.

[POOKA123]

Oct. 29, 2009 at 3:53 PM

WoW that is amazing, I can honestly say, God is good, and thanks to you, a lot of those kids know that too, Great Post.