The seasons are finally changing. Autumn is my favorite season and yet the most quiet, reflective, and nostalgic. These are not the things on my mind when I think about Autumn being my favorite season. The things I do reflect on are the colors; red orange yellow brown. It is my favorite color grouping. I also think about new beginnings, probably related to school as I was growing up. I think about peaceful music, cool weather floating in through open windows and a clean home. Also products of my growing up.
But now that the clouds have finally brought some much needed rain and the season feels as though it has finally arrived and I am overwhelmed by memories and nostalgia which is not necessarily a bad thing it's just very strange to remember years not that long ago but that seem so distant and far away. Life changes and goes by so quickly.
Something I heard in a sermon today is how so many Christians live life as though they are driving a car without any destination in mind, aimless, purposeless.
I don't want to be that way, at all! In fact this weather has actually helped pull me out of life's routine so that I can reflect, and that's a very good thing. Upon reflection I have rediscovered goals that have fallen to the way side because of business, fatigue, and forgetfulness.
I have mentioned some future goals in a blog not so long ago so I won't repeat any of that, these are more short term goals.
I want to finish novels I've started, and be brave enough to send them to publishers.
I want to get back into music, singing it, writing it, learning it. We have a beautiful old piano in our living room that needs some love but I see family music lessons taking place in our living room. Ryan and I have been wanting to learn to play but now we see beautiful foster children laughing at us as we try to learn with them.
I want to work on getting outside more now that there is not an immediate threat of heat related health issues. I want to work out more.
I think we will join the Y with a family membership and all go together several nights a week, it's also a great way to get foster children into a free sports league and give them the encouragement and cheering that every kid should have when pursuing something they love.
I want to spend more time being reflective and asking important questions. I want my thoughts and my rest time to be more purposeful. And I want to encourage such thinking and questions in children who stay in our home.
I want to have an on hand curriculum for preschoolers we home, and a good family bible time activity in mind that works for most ages.
I want a purpose driven life.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
"As for Me and My House; We Will Serve The Lord!"
I'm trying to decide the best way to start this blog, and how to phrase what's bubbling up inside of me.
To begin simply; My sweet husband and I were blessed by a nice man, who comes into my work during my morning shifts. He knows my family and met my husband recently and asked if we had seen Courageous. I told him not yet but that we planned to and he handed me some money. (Thinking this was his payment for his coffee I took it.) He stopped me from putting it in the register and said that it was for Ryan and I to go see the movie. I thanked him but tried to give him the money back and he wouldn't take it. Movie dates aren't exactly in the budget very often so I certainly felt blessed and we did what we were told to do with the money and went to see Courageous this evening. (The most powerful movie I have ever seen.)
We have seen pretty much every Christian/inspirational movie there is but this does not compare. I'm not going to say anything about the movie that you can't already see in previews, it's about men. Strong courageous godly men. Good husbands and good fathers. It's about the importance of their roles in the life of the generations that follow after them. It's a powerful movie because of the state of MY generation. And by MY generation, I mean all the early 20somethings out there.
The statistics of what becomes of children who either had an absent father or... well, not a very good one, are sad to say the least.
What this movie provoked in me was a heart for the young and stupid people out there who have become a statistic because of their dads. A heart for the next generation, young children, who are growing up without dads right now; and it gave me an overwhelming sense of gratefulness for the father and the home that I grew up with.
A father teaches boys what being a man looks like (good or bad) and a father teaches girls their self worth and confidence (good or bad) without a good influence these important teachings fall to the way side and we are left with broken generations.
Ryan and I are inspired to try to exemplify what the Bible teaches about being parents, and are grateful that we have some good examples to pull from.
Today at work I served a woman who I noticed had a Konos Curriculum book as well as a familiar looking book on Castles. Excitedly I told her "I love Konos! My mom did that with us when we were homeschooling and it was my favorite thing. We even used that book and made an awesome castle out of boxes and had a medieval feast and everything. It was awesome."
She smiled at me and we discussed the curriculum for a while before she asked me: "so were you homeschooled all 12 years?"
"3rd grade through graduation." I told her. Her response cracked me up!
"And you're not weird at all!!! See, people think if I do it all the way my kids will be weird."
I laughed and told her some homeschoolers are but there are ways around it. We chatted for a while and I told her I plan on Homeschooling my kids.
I became very grateful for my wise and organized Mama! (Whom I will probably have several phone conversations and meetings with when I get to homeschooling my kids!)
Another thing that happened at work today was a conversation with a co-worker who has turned away from Christ. We were talking about mental issues in the area of addictions and mental disorders like bipolar, depression, extreme anxiety etc. Genetics and family tree came up and he said: "My kids are already pretty much screwed based on that." (He doesn't have kids yet.)
Very excitedly I went on to tell him how that wasn't true! And how even though people may have more of a genetic draw or leaning to mental problems doesn't mean they end up the same way as passed relatives or generations. I gave him the awesome example of both of my parents genetic make-up of depressive mental illness, alcoholism, broken homes etc. and how the genes were certainly stacked against them and their kids two-fold but that God is bigger than all that and with their trust and focus on Him they just decided 'The Buck Stops Here!' And it pretty much did!
Now that is not to say that there are no struggles (I think about invisible rope that may pull on one of us a bit here and there.) But because we have a strong and loving family and an even stronger and more loving God, we get through those struggles (And are stronger than the invisible ropes that tug every once in a while)
I am so blessed by my parents and siblings both by their examples, their love, support, encouragement and wisdom. I am lucky and blessed!
And as Ryan and I move forward in our own journey to raising a family (No matter what that may look like) We have decided that "As for me and my house WE will serve the Lord"
To begin simply; My sweet husband and I were blessed by a nice man, who comes into my work during my morning shifts. He knows my family and met my husband recently and asked if we had seen Courageous. I told him not yet but that we planned to and he handed me some money. (Thinking this was his payment for his coffee I took it.) He stopped me from putting it in the register and said that it was for Ryan and I to go see the movie. I thanked him but tried to give him the money back and he wouldn't take it. Movie dates aren't exactly in the budget very often so I certainly felt blessed and we did what we were told to do with the money and went to see Courageous this evening. (The most powerful movie I have ever seen.)
We have seen pretty much every Christian/inspirational movie there is but this does not compare. I'm not going to say anything about the movie that you can't already see in previews, it's about men. Strong courageous godly men. Good husbands and good fathers. It's about the importance of their roles in the life of the generations that follow after them. It's a powerful movie because of the state of MY generation. And by MY generation, I mean all the early 20somethings out there.
The statistics of what becomes of children who either had an absent father or... well, not a very good one, are sad to say the least.
What this movie provoked in me was a heart for the young and stupid people out there who have become a statistic because of their dads. A heart for the next generation, young children, who are growing up without dads right now; and it gave me an overwhelming sense of gratefulness for the father and the home that I grew up with.
A father teaches boys what being a man looks like (good or bad) and a father teaches girls their self worth and confidence (good or bad) without a good influence these important teachings fall to the way side and we are left with broken generations.
Ryan and I are inspired to try to exemplify what the Bible teaches about being parents, and are grateful that we have some good examples to pull from.
Today at work I served a woman who I noticed had a Konos Curriculum book as well as a familiar looking book on Castles. Excitedly I told her "I love Konos! My mom did that with us when we were homeschooling and it was my favorite thing. We even used that book and made an awesome castle out of boxes and had a medieval feast and everything. It was awesome."
She smiled at me and we discussed the curriculum for a while before she asked me: "so were you homeschooled all 12 years?"
"3rd grade through graduation." I told her. Her response cracked me up!
"And you're not weird at all!!! See, people think if I do it all the way my kids will be weird."
I laughed and told her some homeschoolers are but there are ways around it. We chatted for a while and I told her I plan on Homeschooling my kids.
I became very grateful for my wise and organized Mama! (Whom I will probably have several phone conversations and meetings with when I get to homeschooling my kids!)
Another thing that happened at work today was a conversation with a co-worker who has turned away from Christ. We were talking about mental issues in the area of addictions and mental disorders like bipolar, depression, extreme anxiety etc. Genetics and family tree came up and he said: "My kids are already pretty much screwed based on that." (He doesn't have kids yet.)
Very excitedly I went on to tell him how that wasn't true! And how even though people may have more of a genetic draw or leaning to mental problems doesn't mean they end up the same way as passed relatives or generations. I gave him the awesome example of both of my parents genetic make-up of depressive mental illness, alcoholism, broken homes etc. and how the genes were certainly stacked against them and their kids two-fold but that God is bigger than all that and with their trust and focus on Him they just decided 'The Buck Stops Here!' And it pretty much did!
Now that is not to say that there are no struggles (I think about invisible rope that may pull on one of us a bit here and there.) But because we have a strong and loving family and an even stronger and more loving God, we get through those struggles (And are stronger than the invisible ropes that tug every once in a while)
I am so blessed by my parents and siblings both by their examples, their love, support, encouragement and wisdom. I am lucky and blessed!
And as Ryan and I move forward in our own journey to raising a family (No matter what that may look like) We have decided that "As for me and my house WE will serve the Lord"
Sunday, October 2, 2011
ADD Blog Style
I have a lot of things I think I want to blog about and they aren't really related, just all on my mind... Thus my title.
I am a person often battling my emotions, and this week my husband has looked me over several times and asked "what's wrong?" what my face must have been showing I can only guess but answering his ongoing question this week has been kind of difficult. I don't really know how to pinpoint what I feel or why when I seem overwhelmed. A coping strategy of mine is to keep busy and look all the way forward to the next big exciting thing in life, which tends to leave me lost in the present. Lost and confused.
I think some of the things that get me down lately are waiting impatiently for God's timing in several areas of life, an unsettling feeling of not having a specific kind of home/family I think my husband and I both need and long for. We have great families, but are still working on those forever friendships that start at the beginning of our own family.
I am unsatisfied with myself and yet seem too lazy and undisciplined to stick to a game plan long enough to make any real changes.
I think what it all comes down to is having a healthy, bright, image of what I want our life to look like and not really getting there... Yet.
But in recognizing how much of my emotional frustration is something I or we (my husband and I) have control over, I've decided to start making a list of goals to attain in an attempt to do my part in getting to that ideal image of life I'd like my family to have. We are on the right paths in a lot of ways.
Lately we have been really busy even in our "spare" time, and this is very normal for most people in America but I hate it! We are reading a really neat book together called "Weird" and so far it's really good. It talks about America's need to be busy to achieve success and how, if that's normal, let's be weird! I totally agree and I remember my parents working really hard when I was growing up to keep my family from being too busy and to spend most dinner times together at the table. This is something we have decided to adopt starting now, before kids, which tend to bring sports and all sorts of extra curricular activities into the mix. I mean, there is nothing wrong with soccer until it takes over your life, and all things in moderation right?
That's how I feel about it anyway
Another way I choose to be weird is my devotion to my husband/family and home.
I work right now but I don't enjoy it and I plan to be at home as soon as I possibly can. I never really wanted a career (gasp! I know,) I never got a college degree (a shame... Not!) and I do not consider that a loss AT ALL!!! My husband and I are firm in our conviction of our children getting me more than 3 hours in the evening (between pick up from daycare and bedtime)
I know this is not everyone's conviction and it's certainly not the norm but I refuse to let anyone belittle or talk down to me because of this calling I know God has given me! I do not need to have a college degree or successful business career to make a difference in the world or other people's lives!
While we are talking about being weird here is another way my husband and I will choose to be weird. We want to home school our children. We are not sure how long or exactly what curriculum we will use but we definitely want to make sure our children have a firm foundation of Christ to build their lives upon.
Now I have seen two ugly extreme opinions on this matter and I want to make quite clear that I stand with neither. One extreme is a very ignorant, closed minded way of thinking, that homeschooling is the only way, it is the way of life, and public schools are some sort of child prison.... Oh my gosh don't even get me started on cult like homeschoolers! That is certainly not our view and our children may end up in public schools when they are older and maybe want to be salt and light in the world! We will get there when we get there. The other side of this opinion that we obviously don't hold is that homeschooling is some type of neglect or sad excuse for education and socialization, while that can be true of lazy moms who try homeschooling halfheartedly, that was never true of my mom and will never be true of myself. My homeschool experience did not include lounging around in pjs reading books on the sofa. We had to be up by a specific time, dressed and ready to begin a very structured and scheduled day of school just like most other kids and props to my mom for doing so!
I may have somehow ended up on a soap box... I didn't even know that's what they looked like! .... I'll step down now...
Another thing I think about wanting my life to look like is Ryan and I being caring, compassionate, gentle, and loving. The process of becoming foster parents is really helping me think about my life as it would be viewed by a child, maybe a hurting child, lost, sad, and searching for answers. What would they take away from observing and interacting with me?
The more I think of this the more I let it and encourage it to shape mine and Ryan's life. Would we drive this way with foster children in the car? Would we say these words where little ears could hear? Would we use this tone or volume where a scared and insecure child might overhear? Would we take them to this place, allow them to hear this teaching? Everything now has a different context and it's challenging my pants off! ... In a good way! I am suddenly so aware of weaknesses and lack of discipline and I'm grateful to be seeing it now in preparation for big things rather than in the midst of them.
I've been thinking about our future foster adventures like shepherding because it is so prominent in the Bible, and because during a quiet time of mine while Ryan and I were still seeking God's direction as it related to foster care I believe He gave me this verse;
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. "(1 Peter 5:2-4 NIV)
The flock that will be under our care are children, and no matter how difficult or sweet they may be they are ours to shepherd while they are with us and the way we want to strive to do this is Biblically, with love and compassion and understanding what they have been through, being patient and sensitive quick to listen and slow to speak. Isn't that what true pastoring is about? Loving the flock, caring for them on their level of understanding, patiently helping them attain their needs.
This is SO important and close to my heart because I don't believe there are as many Christ Followers doing this in the world as their should be! And to be clear I'm not talking about foster care! I'm just talking about people in the world, saved or not. The Bible tells us that we will be (should be) known as Christians by our love! Not our judgment or free advice and opinions! Just love people! And keep your opinions under your tongue until 1.) you are asked for them and 2.) can give them with a pure and loving heart!
That's how I feel about that, anyway.
Woah where did this soap box come from?! ... Oops
Well, I guess I've gotten out what was on my mind and heart, I have some more scripture to read and an evening with my wonderful husband ahead of me!
I am a person often battling my emotions, and this week my husband has looked me over several times and asked "what's wrong?" what my face must have been showing I can only guess but answering his ongoing question this week has been kind of difficult. I don't really know how to pinpoint what I feel or why when I seem overwhelmed. A coping strategy of mine is to keep busy and look all the way forward to the next big exciting thing in life, which tends to leave me lost in the present. Lost and confused.
I think some of the things that get me down lately are waiting impatiently for God's timing in several areas of life, an unsettling feeling of not having a specific kind of home/family I think my husband and I both need and long for. We have great families, but are still working on those forever friendships that start at the beginning of our own family.
I am unsatisfied with myself and yet seem too lazy and undisciplined to stick to a game plan long enough to make any real changes.
I think what it all comes down to is having a healthy, bright, image of what I want our life to look like and not really getting there... Yet.
But in recognizing how much of my emotional frustration is something I or we (my husband and I) have control over, I've decided to start making a list of goals to attain in an attempt to do my part in getting to that ideal image of life I'd like my family to have. We are on the right paths in a lot of ways.
Lately we have been really busy even in our "spare" time, and this is very normal for most people in America but I hate it! We are reading a really neat book together called "Weird" and so far it's really good. It talks about America's need to be busy to achieve success and how, if that's normal, let's be weird! I totally agree and I remember my parents working really hard when I was growing up to keep my family from being too busy and to spend most dinner times together at the table. This is something we have decided to adopt starting now, before kids, which tend to bring sports and all sorts of extra curricular activities into the mix. I mean, there is nothing wrong with soccer until it takes over your life, and all things in moderation right?
That's how I feel about it anyway
Another way I choose to be weird is my devotion to my husband/family and home.
I work right now but I don't enjoy it and I plan to be at home as soon as I possibly can. I never really wanted a career (gasp! I know,) I never got a college degree (a shame... Not!) and I do not consider that a loss AT ALL!!! My husband and I are firm in our conviction of our children getting me more than 3 hours in the evening (between pick up from daycare and bedtime)
I know this is not everyone's conviction and it's certainly not the norm but I refuse to let anyone belittle or talk down to me because of this calling I know God has given me! I do not need to have a college degree or successful business career to make a difference in the world or other people's lives!
While we are talking about being weird here is another way my husband and I will choose to be weird. We want to home school our children. We are not sure how long or exactly what curriculum we will use but we definitely want to make sure our children have a firm foundation of Christ to build their lives upon.
Now I have seen two ugly extreme opinions on this matter and I want to make quite clear that I stand with neither. One extreme is a very ignorant, closed minded way of thinking, that homeschooling is the only way, it is the way of life, and public schools are some sort of child prison.... Oh my gosh don't even get me started on cult like homeschoolers! That is certainly not our view and our children may end up in public schools when they are older and maybe want to be salt and light in the world! We will get there when we get there. The other side of this opinion that we obviously don't hold is that homeschooling is some type of neglect or sad excuse for education and socialization, while that can be true of lazy moms who try homeschooling halfheartedly, that was never true of my mom and will never be true of myself. My homeschool experience did not include lounging around in pjs reading books on the sofa. We had to be up by a specific time, dressed and ready to begin a very structured and scheduled day of school just like most other kids and props to my mom for doing so!
I may have somehow ended up on a soap box... I didn't even know that's what they looked like! .... I'll step down now...
Another thing I think about wanting my life to look like is Ryan and I being caring, compassionate, gentle, and loving. The process of becoming foster parents is really helping me think about my life as it would be viewed by a child, maybe a hurting child, lost, sad, and searching for answers. What would they take away from observing and interacting with me?
The more I think of this the more I let it and encourage it to shape mine and Ryan's life. Would we drive this way with foster children in the car? Would we say these words where little ears could hear? Would we use this tone or volume where a scared and insecure child might overhear? Would we take them to this place, allow them to hear this teaching? Everything now has a different context and it's challenging my pants off! ... In a good way! I am suddenly so aware of weaknesses and lack of discipline and I'm grateful to be seeing it now in preparation for big things rather than in the midst of them.
I've been thinking about our future foster adventures like shepherding because it is so prominent in the Bible, and because during a quiet time of mine while Ryan and I were still seeking God's direction as it related to foster care I believe He gave me this verse;
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. "(1 Peter 5:2-4 NIV)
The flock that will be under our care are children, and no matter how difficult or sweet they may be they are ours to shepherd while they are with us and the way we want to strive to do this is Biblically, with love and compassion and understanding what they have been through, being patient and sensitive quick to listen and slow to speak. Isn't that what true pastoring is about? Loving the flock, caring for them on their level of understanding, patiently helping them attain their needs.
This is SO important and close to my heart because I don't believe there are as many Christ Followers doing this in the world as their should be! And to be clear I'm not talking about foster care! I'm just talking about people in the world, saved or not. The Bible tells us that we will be (should be) known as Christians by our love! Not our judgment or free advice and opinions! Just love people! And keep your opinions under your tongue until 1.) you are asked for them and 2.) can give them with a pure and loving heart!
That's how I feel about that, anyway.
Woah where did this soap box come from?! ... Oops
Well, I guess I've gotten out what was on my mind and heart, I have some more scripture to read and an evening with my wonderful husband ahead of me!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Update
Yesterday we went to a behavior/child psychology class as a part of our Foster Care process. It was incredibly sad, moving, encouraging and insightful.
The statistics of developmental and behavioral problems that are directly related to disfunction in the home are astounding! And the amount of damage that can be done to a child in the first year of their life... Appalling.
See, a baby under 1 year old has very basic needs; food, sleep, cleanliness, and love. When a baby is neglected they stop crying for what they need. They won't cry when they are hungry and they don't learn that someone will care for them. This and even yelling and arguing on a regular basis in the home causes the brain to give off adrenaline and dopamine, the fight or flight chemicals.
When a baby experiences these chemicals the whole brain is focused on it and therefore causes all kinds of developmental delays!
Physical touch is extremely important to babies under a year old! The lack of physical touch itself causes developmental and emotional delays and problems.
This really spoke to me as my love language is physical touch. It really made me want to go back and tell Starry we would be happy to have babies! Just so I could meet those needs that impact the rest of their lives!
We studied scenarios that have actually taken place in foster homes, one of the most common is hiding food in bedrooms and stealing money. This isn't really about being defiant or acting out, it's about security to these kids because they don't know when they are going to be fed next or if they will come across a traumatic event that will make them want to run away from home with nothing but the clothes on their backs and whatever cash they can get in their pockets.
How sad is that? And these are really more of the minor situations we discussed. I won't go into detail about some of the more risqué issues we had to go over but let me just say, a lot of these kids end up with issues because of a lack of boundaries and scenery protection and have seen way more than their young eyes should have, giving them a confused and distorted view of sertain aspects of life.
I am feeling more and more like we are in the right place right now. And am beginning to see clear images of life in our home with foster children and how we might make big positive differences in the lives of these precious children through the power and direction God is giving us!
The statistics of developmental and behavioral problems that are directly related to disfunction in the home are astounding! And the amount of damage that can be done to a child in the first year of their life... Appalling.
See, a baby under 1 year old has very basic needs; food, sleep, cleanliness, and love. When a baby is neglected they stop crying for what they need. They won't cry when they are hungry and they don't learn that someone will care for them. This and even yelling and arguing on a regular basis in the home causes the brain to give off adrenaline and dopamine, the fight or flight chemicals.
When a baby experiences these chemicals the whole brain is focused on it and therefore causes all kinds of developmental delays!
Physical touch is extremely important to babies under a year old! The lack of physical touch itself causes developmental and emotional delays and problems.
This really spoke to me as my love language is physical touch. It really made me want to go back and tell Starry we would be happy to have babies! Just so I could meet those needs that impact the rest of their lives!
We studied scenarios that have actually taken place in foster homes, one of the most common is hiding food in bedrooms and stealing money. This isn't really about being defiant or acting out, it's about security to these kids because they don't know when they are going to be fed next or if they will come across a traumatic event that will make them want to run away from home with nothing but the clothes on their backs and whatever cash they can get in their pockets.
How sad is that? And these are really more of the minor situations we discussed. I won't go into detail about some of the more risqué issues we had to go over but let me just say, a lot of these kids end up with issues because of a lack of boundaries and scenery protection and have seen way more than their young eyes should have, giving them a confused and distorted view of sertain aspects of life.
I am feeling more and more like we are in the right place right now. And am beginning to see clear images of life in our home with foster children and how we might make big positive differences in the lives of these precious children through the power and direction God is giving us!
Friday, September 23, 2011
A Comfortable Room for Kids
While trying not to allow myself to get to far ahead emotionally with our Foster Care process I do want to be prepared so I have decided how I want to outfit our extra bedroom in preparation to receiving children.
I went with something gender neutral and something I can use to help further little one's education.
This is the bed we want (It allows us to keep our current full size mattress.)
The bed is from Walmart and can be seperated into two beds if desired. Lots of use can come from it.
This is the bedding I've chosen from Ikea!
And of course I'll be bringing in color with the window treatments and sheet sets for the bed and accessories around the room. I found a twin sheet set that is bright orange at Walmart and bought it because it was on super clearance! I may do the bottom bunk in lime green or something.
Here are some pillows with colors I'd use and I would just buy some inexpensive fabric and make them myself!
And then some decor for the walls I think would be fun are this poster print and mirror, both from ikea and both sporting some fun and happy lime green colors! :)
So this is just a little of what I have in mind. I want to bring in some red and sky blue as well and get enough variety in color that any gender would be comfortable in the room. And I'm all about the bright colors because I think they help provide a "Happy Feel" to the space which would be so important to foster children!
I'm getting very excited about our process. My background check came through with a copy of my FBI finger prints from a previous position in child care so I don't have to get my finger prints done again which is great.
I finished the online Foster Medical training yesterday, we have an 8hr behavioral training tomorrow morning, and another training a week from Monday as well as CPR/First aid scheduled for this Thursday!
We are on a roll snowballing all of the things we need to get done to be placed.
We finish up our TB tests and get the paperwork tomorrow as well so we could easily be done with everything required of us by mid October, leaving only the home visits before we get placed.
So our plan to foster children for Christmas may work out after all! =)
I went with something gender neutral and something I can use to help further little one's education.
This is the bed we want (It allows us to keep our current full size mattress.)
The bed is from Walmart and can be seperated into two beds if desired. Lots of use can come from it.
This is the bedding I've chosen from Ikea!
And of course I'll be bringing in color with the window treatments and sheet sets for the bed and accessories around the room. I found a twin sheet set that is bright orange at Walmart and bought it because it was on super clearance! I may do the bottom bunk in lime green or something.
Here are some pillows with colors I'd use and I would just buy some inexpensive fabric and make them myself!
And then some decor for the walls I think would be fun are this poster print and mirror, both from ikea and both sporting some fun and happy lime green colors! :)
So this is just a little of what I have in mind. I want to bring in some red and sky blue as well and get enough variety in color that any gender would be comfortable in the room. And I'm all about the bright colors because I think they help provide a "Happy Feel" to the space which would be so important to foster children!
I'm getting very excited about our process. My background check came through with a copy of my FBI finger prints from a previous position in child care so I don't have to get my finger prints done again which is great.
I finished the online Foster Medical training yesterday, we have an 8hr behavioral training tomorrow morning, and another training a week from Monday as well as CPR/First aid scheduled for this Thursday!
We are on a roll snowballing all of the things we need to get done to be placed.
We finish up our TB tests and get the paperwork tomorrow as well so we could easily be done with everything required of us by mid October, leaving only the home visits before we get placed.
So our plan to foster children for Christmas may work out after all! =)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What a Whirl Wind!
Well, Ryan and I met with Starry yesterday afternoon and in my opinion it went exceedingly well! We were told that as far as our extensive application and first meeting went, there was no indication that we should have any trouble being placed.
We were given a check list and a new packet of paperwork to take home and work on. Our check list is more than half way finished!
over the next few weeks we will be going to classes/training, getting our home health and fire ready and inspected, going over policies and procedures to sign and a whole lot of important little things. We were told that the length of our applications process is really up to us in the sense that, it is dependent on when we can get everything done. From there we will have two home visits and the paperwork from those has a 6 week time limit so we COULD have children at Christmas!
We will see, it's got a lot to do with when they receive children as well, but I'm still excited! I've gotten a lot done today and Ryan and I may get to check off TB tests and CPR and First Aid training tonight!
God is good! There are so many unknowns in life right now and yet I feel blessed with a sense of peace and confidence in God's mighty plans.
We were given a check list and a new packet of paperwork to take home and work on. Our check list is more than half way finished!
over the next few weeks we will be going to classes/training, getting our home health and fire ready and inspected, going over policies and procedures to sign and a whole lot of important little things. We were told that the length of our applications process is really up to us in the sense that, it is dependent on when we can get everything done. From there we will have two home visits and the paperwork from those has a 6 week time limit so we COULD have children at Christmas!
We will see, it's got a lot to do with when they receive children as well, but I'm still excited! I've gotten a lot done today and Ryan and I may get to check off TB tests and CPR and First Aid training tonight!
God is good! There are so many unknowns in life right now and yet I feel blessed with a sense of peace and confidence in God's mighty plans.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Honestly Me
Well, yet again it's been a good long while since I've blogged, but I figured my readers were few and probably already know what's going on with me anyway.
I'm not sure who all reads this, especially because I haven't updated in a long while, so I just figure I'm gonna document what God is doing in our lives. (myself and my sweet husband, Ryan)
So this is us, our journey as we seek to follow hard after Christ even when we don't understand His will or timing.
This is the honest me, true stories of life.
I guess what's on my mind most as write this is the current struggle/excitement in our lives and it's been going on for several months now but under wraps. And lately I have felt that I'd rather have more prayer than a private/exclusive part of life.
So here it is: This week we are meeting with Starry, a Children At Heart program for foster care. This is something Ryan and I have discussed on and off from the very first few months of our marriage. It went from theory to future to seeking God's will and timing, to scheduling an orientation meeting and filling out a 21 page application.
Now in recent months this has been more of a prayer walk and we believe that God has spoken to us through scripture and prayer that this is what He has for us right now. We don't even know if we will be accepted as foster parents but if we aren't we will know God just wanted us to act on His calling and be willing to serve where he leads. If we are accepted we will undergo 30 hours of training, several interviews and inspections and then be placed with our first foster children and we will be delighted! But I have to admit we haven't always felt that way and even now we are a little anxious about the possible future but know that God will equip us for what He has called us to.
In recent months I have been closed off to the idea of taking care of "other people's kids" and I believe this was do to the combination of too many years in childcare professions with very difficult situations and the fact that I am unable to get pregnant at this point in time.
The road to trying for biological children has been trying and emotional and has provoked me to ask a lot of questions; including "God, what are you doing? Why aren't you granting us children now when that's what I have felt my calling is ever since I was a little girl? What do You want me to do now, while I wait for my babies?"
Though it had to include a complete change of heart, (which God provided in full as I find myself completely thrilled and beyond excited browsing for bunk beds and kid stuff for future foster children,) I feel like God has answered these questions with the leading we feel to foster children.
In discussing this with Ryan we think it might be possible that we are struggling to have children right now because given our plan and our timing and our biological children, foster care never would have emerged from the "theoretical" position it was in when we first got married.
We don't know for sure but we do feel confident that at least being willing and ready and taking the first steps in becoming foster parents is what God is asking from us right now. What comes after is completely in God's hands, as is all of our life, including when we will get to have our biological babies.
This journey has definitely taught me a lot and continues to do so. I have learned and am constantly learning that God doesn't orchestrate life according to what I want but according to His will and purpose which the Bible says is 'perfect'. I am constantly reminded of my natural selfish, jealous, sinful nature and of God's gracious, loving, all-knowing will.
I know He's in charge and I know He loves Ryan and myself and knows what's best for us better than we do and some days that's all the comfort I need, but other days, even in the midst of my joy and excitement at the idea of having foster children for Christmas, I sink into the sorrow of longing for a pregnancy.
At my very core, I am simply human which means I have human emotions that range from ecstatic joy to deep sorrow and for whatever reason, God designed me that way and in the midst of either emotion I will cling to Him and the blessings He's given me in the comfort and encouragement of His word, and family. Both mine and Ryan's.
We are blessed.
And we are both extremely excited about our meeting with Starry this Wednesday! Starry works directly with the Texas Baptist Children's Home where I have enjoyed precious moments volunteering and working with the children there.
Here's to a new week, full of potential and possibilities. I am praying for amazingly huge things this week, not just for myself and Ryan but for my precious family members whom we love so much, that magnificent blessings would reign... And rain, this week! :)
Well, yet again it's been a good long while since I've blogged, but I figured my readers were few and probably already know what's going on with me anyway.
I'm not sure who all reads this, especially because I haven't updated in a long while, so I just figure I'm gonna document what God is doing in our lives. (myself and my sweet husband, Ryan)
So this is us, our journey as we seek to follow hard after Christ even when we don't understand His will or timing.
This is the honest me, true stories of life.
I guess what's on my mind most as write this is the current struggle/excitement in our lives and it's been going on for several months now but under wraps. And lately I have felt that I'd rather have more prayer than a private/exclusive part of life.
So here it is: This week we are meeting with Starry, a Children At Heart program for foster care. This is something Ryan and I have discussed on and off from the very first few months of our marriage. It went from theory to future to seeking God's will and timing, to scheduling an orientation meeting and filling out a 21 page application.
Now in recent months this has been more of a prayer walk and we believe that God has spoken to us through scripture and prayer that this is what He has for us right now. We don't even know if we will be accepted as foster parents but if we aren't we will know God just wanted us to act on His calling and be willing to serve where he leads. If we are accepted we will undergo 30 hours of training, several interviews and inspections and then be placed with our first foster children and we will be delighted! But I have to admit we haven't always felt that way and even now we are a little anxious about the possible future but know that God will equip us for what He has called us to.
In recent months I have been closed off to the idea of taking care of "other people's kids" and I believe this was do to the combination of too many years in childcare professions with very difficult situations and the fact that I am unable to get pregnant at this point in time.
The road to trying for biological children has been trying and emotional and has provoked me to ask a lot of questions; including "God, what are you doing? Why aren't you granting us children now when that's what I have felt my calling is ever since I was a little girl? What do You want me to do now, while I wait for my babies?"
Though it had to include a complete change of heart, (which God provided in full as I find myself completely thrilled and beyond excited browsing for bunk beds and kid stuff for future foster children,) I feel like God has answered these questions with the leading we feel to foster children.
In discussing this with Ryan we think it might be possible that we are struggling to have children right now because given our plan and our timing and our biological children, foster care never would have emerged from the "theoretical" position it was in when we first got married.
We don't know for sure but we do feel confident that at least being willing and ready and taking the first steps in becoming foster parents is what God is asking from us right now. What comes after is completely in God's hands, as is all of our life, including when we will get to have our biological babies.
This journey has definitely taught me a lot and continues to do so. I have learned and am constantly learning that God doesn't orchestrate life according to what I want but according to His will and purpose which the Bible says is 'perfect'. I am constantly reminded of my natural selfish, jealous, sinful nature and of God's gracious, loving, all-knowing will.
I know He's in charge and I know He loves Ryan and myself and knows what's best for us better than we do and some days that's all the comfort I need, but other days, even in the midst of my joy and excitement at the idea of having foster children for Christmas, I sink into the sorrow of longing for a pregnancy.
At my very core, I am simply human which means I have human emotions that range from ecstatic joy to deep sorrow and for whatever reason, God designed me that way and in the midst of either emotion I will cling to Him and the blessings He's given me in the comfort and encouragement of His word, and family. Both mine and Ryan's.
We are blessed.
And we are both extremely excited about our meeting with Starry this Wednesday! Starry works directly with the Texas Baptist Children's Home where I have enjoyed precious moments volunteering and working with the children there.
Here's to a new week, full of potential and possibilities. I am praying for amazingly huge things this week, not just for myself and Ryan but for my precious family members whom we love so much, that magnificent blessings would reign... And rain, this week! :)
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