It's been awhile!
I can't believe how fast time goes by. I had not realized that I hadn't been keeping up on my blog, but partly because I didn't really have anything to report. We did finish all our classes, and I was CPR/First Aid certified. Since my husband works in the medical field, he was already certified. It was an easy, but informative class, 3 hours long and we had the best instructor. He was a retired EMT, and he was great. I did learn that where once you gave a few chest compressions, then blew air into the person's mouth....this is not the case anymore. Just chest compressions now.
Well, now onto the latest! I recieved a call from a certifier yesterday! She was so nice and is sending us questionaires to fill out and send back to her. And we have an appointment for her to come meet with us at our home on the 19th! What we discuss that day will give her the workings for the homestudy. That is a series of visits that they put together about you and your family, your home, environment, etc...that gives them the best ideas for placement that they believe will suite you, and it gives them a chance to really get to know all about you. We are so excited to finally have this next step! Her exact words to me were "Lets get you guys certified sooner than later". Loved hearing that! So, now we wait again. But at least we are finally on our way to opening out hearts to a child/children who need us!
Well, now onto the latest! I recieved a call from a certifier yesterday! She was so nice and is sending us questionaires to fill out and send back to her. And we have an appointment for her to come meet with us at our home on the 19th! What we discuss that day will give her the workings for the homestudy. That is a series of visits that they put together about you and your family, your home, environment, etc...that gives them the best ideas for placement that they believe will suite you, and it gives them a chance to really get to know all about you. We are so excited to finally have this next step! Her exact words to me were "Lets get you guys certified sooner than later". Loved hearing that! So, now we wait again. But at least we are finally on our way to opening out hearts to a child/children who need us!
One class down...one to go!
So, we finally got another class out of the way, It was the longest class out of them all. Instead of 3 hours, it was 6. But very educational. All the rest of the classes were cancelled until August, so in August we will finally be done with classes, and onto being certified. I think one of the hardest parts about these classes,is that they show us videos that contain alot of sad stuff. We see video of babies born drug addicted, shaking and spasming. I can not imagine why anyone would do that to a baby! We also learn alot about special care that we will need to give these kiddos. You see, they don't just come to your house all sweet and well adjusted. They come with baggage, they have seperation anxiety, they have been abused, and most of all, they have been taken from the only home they know. Even if it was a bad home, it is still the only one they have ever known. But still, we can't wait to bring one into our home!!!!
Leaving
I have a friend who has had 2 foster children for the last couple years. She was ready to proceed with adoption, and out of nowhere some family members popped up and decided to take the kids. As sad as this is, family members get first rights. So, yesterday, after raising these two kiddos for such a long time, they were taken from her. I just want to take a second to not only wish her a quick recovery and a healing heart, but to hope these kids find peace and love in a new home that they have never known.
Frusteration!!!!!
So, my Husband and I have only 2 classes left. We should have been done in May, but all of May's classes were cancelled, so we thought June. Nope! All of June's classes were cancelled too.So were July! Then they emailed saying one of our classes was being offered in June. So we jumped on that, but still have to wait until August to finish. Then our home must be checked out and certified. And any changes we need to make to it will need to be done before we can foster. I think the only things left to do is buy 2 smoke detectors.
So, dealing with the State is not easy! They have changed dates, times and monthes on us a few times! One of our packets got lost so we have to find someone to fill one out. (Got lost by them, not us). I'm so frusterated! We could be helping to foster a child right now!
On another note, I'm doing daycare! I have a 9 month old right now. I wasn't sure at first, but decided to jump on it to help a friend, and get myself used to having another kiddo in the house!
So, dealing with the State is not easy! They have changed dates, times and monthes on us a few times! One of our packets got lost so we have to find someone to fill one out. (Got lost by them, not us). I'm so frusterated! We could be helping to foster a child right now!
On another note, I'm doing daycare! I have a 9 month old right now. I wasn't sure at first, but decided to jump on it to help a friend, and get myself used to having another kiddo in the house!
Know what you are "looking" for
There are so many factors that go into deciding to foster. Some of the things we discussed were
1- Is our home big enough?
2- Do we have the time for another child?
3- What is motivating us to do this?
Well, the answer to number one. Of course we only have a 2 bedroom duplex, but really, how much room do kids need? They don't need a huge home with lots of rooms, they need a place to eat and sleep, and a livingroom big enough to run around in circles until they get dizzy and fall down! We also have a good sized back yard that is fully fenced with room for a swingset, a sandbox and a jumpy house. We also live directly across the street from a grade school, with a large field and playground!
Number two. This was a question we went over alot before deciding. We have our 3 year old daughter, and we both go to school online full time and my husband works 40-60 hours a week. But, our daughter is not lacking time with us, so how could we not have the time? I could see us not having the time if I was also working outside the home full time, but with me home and able to do my homework after our daughter goes to bed, it just seemed silly to us to say we didn't have the time. Thats not to say if someone else felt they didn't have the time that they would be selfish.....it all depends on your lifestyle, your needs and the time you have.
Number 3. Our motivation was a few things. First, we had always wanted a couple kids, but it took us 3 years to concieve our daughter. Then once we did, my pregnancy was hard and I had to go on disability and lose my job. Then after 48 hours of labor and a c-section, I said "No way am I doing this again!". So, after a couple years we started thinking of foster care and adoption. We also knew of friends that were doing foster care and we couldn't turn down the opportunity to help a child. So, we started our classes and they confirmed our feelings of wanting to do this more than ever.
1- Is our home big enough?
2- Do we have the time for another child?
3- What is motivating us to do this?
Well, the answer to number one. Of course we only have a 2 bedroom duplex, but really, how much room do kids need? They don't need a huge home with lots of rooms, they need a place to eat and sleep, and a livingroom big enough to run around in circles until they get dizzy and fall down! We also have a good sized back yard that is fully fenced with room for a swingset, a sandbox and a jumpy house. We also live directly across the street from a grade school, with a large field and playground!
Number two. This was a question we went over alot before deciding. We have our 3 year old daughter, and we both go to school online full time and my husband works 40-60 hours a week. But, our daughter is not lacking time with us, so how could we not have the time? I could see us not having the time if I was also working outside the home full time, but with me home and able to do my homework after our daughter goes to bed, it just seemed silly to us to say we didn't have the time. Thats not to say if someone else felt they didn't have the time that they would be selfish.....it all depends on your lifestyle, your needs and the time you have.
Number 3. Our motivation was a few things. First, we had always wanted a couple kids, but it took us 3 years to concieve our daughter. Then once we did, my pregnancy was hard and I had to go on disability and lose my job. Then after 48 hours of labor and a c-section, I said "No way am I doing this again!". So, after a couple years we started thinking of foster care and adoption. We also knew of friends that were doing foster care and we couldn't turn down the opportunity to help a child. So, we started our classes and they confirmed our feelings of wanting to do this more than ever.
Foster care classes
What do you think of when you hear someone say they are taking Foster care classes? How boring? Stuff you already know? They must be in it for the money? Haha! First of all, nobody ever became wealthy being a foster parent. In our State you get a monthly check, and the amount of the check depends on different things. How many kiddos you have and if they are special needs. Special needs foster parents will recieve more money. Alot of your kids will come to you with nothing but what they are wearing....and with some, that might just be a diaper. This is where I find Garage sales and the Goodwill handy! That way you aren't breaking the bank, but you can get alot of good deals on good clothes and shoes.
After our first class, I thought I would feel overwhelmed, but I felt just the opposite! I was excited, and ready to get on with the next class. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would, and so many helpful tips on basic parenting skills! Some of these things we have been able to incorporate into our 3 year old.
We are so excited and ready for this journey. I can't imagine the feeling of getting that first call from our social worker asking us if we are ready for our first placement!
After our first class, I thought I would feel overwhelmed, but I felt just the opposite! I was excited, and ready to get on with the next class. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would, and so many helpful tips on basic parenting skills! Some of these things we have been able to incorporate into our 3 year old.
We are so excited and ready for this journey. I can't imagine the feeling of getting that first call from our social worker asking us if we are ready for our first placement!
Why Foster Care??
When decided after a great deal of talking that we wanted to do foster care. After all the considerations, pros and cons, and long talks we made our decision. Do it!!!!! Why not? There are so many children just in our county alone that need homes, permanent or not. We love the idea of bringing a child into our home that we can nurture, make smile,and make feel comfortable. We have been told that since we only have a 2 bedroom house, and that our daughter would be sharing her room, that we can go with female infants and toddlers. So, I'm saving all our Daughters clothes that she has outgrown, and toys. As I go along with my blog, I will let you know about the classes, what they consist of, and how we feel about them.
Our story
I am married to the most wonderful man in the world and we have a beautiful 3 year old daughter. My husband works for a non profit home for autistic adults. I stay at home with our daughter. We are both from Cottage Grove,Oregon and grew up here. We have recently decided to open our home to foster children. This is our journey through the foster care system.
