Kid Updates

Oh, the exciting life of being foster parents. It seems that things change every week with the kids, so I just wanted to get an update out there for everyone. Not much has changed for J other than he has started with overnight visits with his mom. It's difficult to watch as a system rolls along with little regard as to what is truly in the best interest of the child. But Miles & I do our best to advocate for him when we see that things are going awry. Unfortunately, his court appointed advocate has done a poor job at this, and we've learned that advocacy on behalf of the kids is one of our primary roles as foster parents. J is absolutely one of the most fun, cute and lovable little boys I've ever known. He's learning new things every day and has now also learned how to make us laugh with his antics.

Things with S are moving along in terms of the investigation that happens whenever kids are pulled out of their homes. Her drug test came up positive for meth, which is no surprise. She is going through withdrawals, which is so fun for us (that is sarcastic, by the way). We researched meth withdrawal in infants and it described her behavior to a tee. Down to the stiffness in her muscles. Her doctor also said that developmentally she reminds her of the orphans brought over here from other countries who have been left alone in their cribs. That just broke my heart. She had her first supervised visit with her parents yesterday but the social worker kept me anonymous because she doesn't trust the parents at this point. They are both known drug users and most likely deal as well. But she is making good gains and is slowly calming down from the effects of drugs in her system. We have been told to give it at least 6 weeks before it is totally out of her system. So for now we put up with the screaming fits and try and keep her environment as calm as possible.

New Addition

Yesterday we received a call from Social Services about a 6-month old baby girl. She was brought to our house late that afternoon, straight from being removed from her parents, who are chronic meth addicts. She is a beautiful girl, but has a lot of cards stacked against her already. We're still awaiting results of a drug test, but her 2-year old brother has tested positive. We don't know the long-term outcome with her, or even the short-term. At this point a family member can still come forward to claim her, and they still have to do a full investigation on her parents. But we feel very blessed to be able to help her right now.

Fall

I love this time of year in North Idaho. The leaves are changing into brilliant colors and falling rapidly from the trees. The weather has told cool and crisp, and our first snow looms on the horizon. The days are shorter. Living in a place with seasons is a constant reminder to me of the seasons in my own life. Whenever I am going through a difficult time, I am reminded that there is "a season for everything" as Ecclesiastes so eloquently puts it. Thankfully this has been a season of both growth and blessing for us. I am learning more about God's character every day as He continues to refine me to more closely display that character in this fallen world. He is refining me as a wife to Miles as I learn to be a better helpmate and godly partner to him. He is refining me through learning to surrender these children that come through our door. And He is refining me as I lead a group of H.S. girls on their own spiritual journeys. And through it all He remains faithful to me.

Plane Rides and Resignations

I just returned from 5 days visiting my sister, Debbie, and her family in Rochester, Minnesota (thus the byline of our blog title). I took J with me and endured my first time flying with an infant in tow. All I can say is thank goodness I was only on a 3 hour flight and not going all the way to Germany like the family on my plane with a 5-month old and a 2 year old! He did great on the plane and was his usual busy self, always moving and climbing all over me, trying to eat the buttons off the leather jacket of the lady next to me, standing up to entertain everyone in the seats behind us with his smile that lights up his face, . . . . . and on and on for 3 hours.

We just spent time with Debbie and Darin, and Tyson, Logan and Avery. We didn't do a whole lot of sightseeing, other than to go to the Mall of America one afternoon. It was just good to be with them again and to see where they live now.

On a different note, I quit my job. I've only worked there for a month and a half, but quickly discovered that the time I'm putting in to the job is not worth it in terms of the money I get paid or the time it takes me away from my family, my responsibilities at home, and my work with the high school girls. So I'm officially a full-time stay-at-home mom again and couldn't be happier!

Our work is done

T went home to be with her parents on a full-time basis this past Friday, the 21st. She is officially on a 6-month "home visit" which means if they are not able to maintain their progress over the next 6 months, she'll return to our home as a foster child. Hopefully that won't happen, for her sake.

Miles and I are proud of the work we did with her, and with her parents. She came to us on October 18 of last year as a dirty, neglected and underdeveloped 3 1/2 month old baby. She has made great gains in her developmental progress and has successfully reunited with her parents. She is in God's hands now.

Surrendering

I need you to join with me in praying for J. Lately I have been burdened by the thought of him going home to his mom. It is difficult for me to imagine the kind of life he would have if he is returned to her home. Yesterday I attended a case plan update meeting with J's mom, grandma, social workers and other professionals, and I received more insight into who his mom is and how unequipped she is. I am physically burdened at times with a desire to pray for him and his future. I don't know where he will be living permanently because that decision has not been made yet. And it won't be made for quite a few more months. So my job is to pray for him everyday and to surrender him to his Father's hands. He is not ours, he is not his mom's . . . . he is God's child and God has a plan for his life. He is an unbelievably lovable and fun child and I think that is what makes the burden that much heavier. I desire to see him grow up in a loving and safe environment and to love and serve God. I know that God desires the best for his life and I have to daily surrender to God's plan. Please join me in praying for him. Thankfully nothing changed at the meeting yesterday and mom's request for unsupervised time with him was denied. At this point she will continue to have 2 2-hour visits a week, and they are both supervised by professionals. My prayer is that if she is unable to care for him, this fact will become evident to the social workers and judge in the next 3 months, prior to the court hearing in January. If he returns home, my prayer is that God will keep Him safe and he will come to know and trust Him.

Surrender is hard sometimes.

Life

Another birthday has passed for me, which causes me to pause and reflect. Sometimes I feel that life moved at such a furious pace this past year that I barely had time to set goals or be intentional about reaching goals. Miles & I were just laughing the other day at what a whirlwind our lives have been. Especially this past year. In October we rented the photography studio and started fixing it up. October 18 we became foster parents to a 3 1/2 month old baby girl. In November we opened the studio to the public. In January we closed the studio. On January 23 we brought home a 2 day old baby boy. How we ever did it with him and an active 7 month old, I'll never know. I have never regretted the decision. J is such a delightful baby and T makes me laugh harder than any 14 month old I know. In March, Miles started a new job at Slacker, in San Diego. We also went through a lot of financial turmoil with the studio, and put our house on the market. In May we moved into a rental. And then came the summer and all of our activities. WHEW!!!


Who knows what this year will bring. 34 may be my best year yet!