The Tweet Says It All...

My Murphy's Law week summed up last night in less than 140 characters:

In all the crazy that has gone down these past few days, I've gotta admit my angels were there for me quicker than quick. I have to thank Gramsie, GramPapa, Missy, My Kiwi and Mr. Al for all their help, patience (and spare vehicles). As much as I've grumbled over the past few days, I truly was blessed.. It could've been worse.

The upside? The ice cream was gooood!

Thankful For Our Blessings

I wanted to take a moment out of our spinning life to throw out a huge, "THANK YOU!!" to Nantie for taking this journey with us. Tomorrow will be a week since the twins moved in and we know without a shadow of a doubt we couldn't of taken this on without her.

Nantie, we love you dearly and consider you a true blessing.

More Answered Prayers

One of my big concerns once a child is placed with us is transportation. Since we are out of county, I am responsible for getting the kiddo(s) to and from visitations, doctors offices, etc. Had we been in county, they have people that do that for you (pick them up from day care, take them to their various appointments and bring them back). We have been told they would do their best to help but the bulk of the transports are on us.

There could very well be weekly court appointed visits which means I will have to take off a 1/2 day of work once maybe even twice a week. This could go on for a year. Oy. Thank the Good Lord I have wonderful bosses that are okay with that but it's still a monstrous bite out of the ole paycheck. Plus my lead foot and the gas gussling suv. On top of all that running, what if the little one gets sick and has to be picked up from day care pronto? We have family nearby but all have really busy lives. I'm sure they would be happy to help in a pinch BUT I needed a solid plan.

I had been trying not to stress about it and have been praying like never before. I know in my heart this is the path we're to be on and it would somehow work out. Have faith..

This weekend, my prayers were answered.

Matt's wonderful Auntie G has moved back to Colorado and is looking for a place to live. Her home here in town is rented out for a year. She needs to find a job to cover her own rent and a place where she has enough room for herself and her lovely Dalmation, Miss Oreo.

A few months back we had offered to have her come live with us. We have plenty of room for her, Miss O and all their stuff. This weekend we revisited that idea. Why not come live with us and, instead of looking for a place to rent and a job, watch baby during the day?!?? That would alleviate me having to miss work and wage, baby won't have to be in day care all day and Auntie's needs are covered as well.

Sweet relief.

I have a call in to J's supervisor (since I still don't know who our new placement worker is yet) as we need to get Auntie certified. Anyone that spends more than 3 hours a week with kids in foster care need to have a home study done, as well.

Once again, God Rocks!




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Big News From a Dear Friend

Our friend, Cherie, shared some wonderful news and (with her permission) I'm doing a shout out for prayers for her and her family.

A little bit of history..

Not long after they married in summer of 2007, Miss Cherie and her wonderful husband got pregnant. At that point, DH and I had been trying for 6 months to conceive to no avail. On the flip side, as soon as the ring hit her finger.. BLAMO!!.. they were starting their own little family. We teased each other during the conception competition and, although we came in distant 2nd, we were downright thrilled for them. Some worried we may have hurt feelings but that was never the case. A baby was coming!! Hooray!

Like us, they are a wee bit older, so precautions were taken as it's always considered a higher risk pregnancy after what? 35? Anyway, Cherie had the required amniocentesis performed and it concluded that their baby girl had Down Syndrome. Admittedly, the initial reaction was shock and sadness. You naturally hope for a healthy baby and when this type of news comes, it robs the joy for a moment.. Just for a moment.

They did their research, educating themselves about children with Downs and prayed for God's Will to be done. The bottom line was no matter the outcome, that little baby girl was going to be loved on like no other.. Spoiled rotten, too. She was a little blessing, no ifs ands or buts about it.

In February we all went on our annual snowmobile trip to Medicine Bow. Cherie was due in a few weeks and was obviously lodge bound. She happily knitted, surfed the Internet and was kind enough to smile as she listened to us retell our long winded tales of sledding adventures in the wilds of Wyoming. I do believe I caught her looking longingly at a glass of Merlot on the table (*wink*). Who could blame her? We are a kooky bunch..

At that point they hadn't come up with a name so I, in all my great wisdom, started trying some out for size,
"Shanaynay?" Noooo
"Tamequa?" Noooo...
Raleetha, Raqueeda, Raspushia, Ronnetta, LaAmbah, LaBriona, LaFonda, Lafuntia, Laketta, De'Kayla, D'Asia, D'Monta, De'Maria, Dewona, Devontay, DeAndrea, Ja'Kari, Ja'mia, Ja'Mika, Kendaisha, Kenderian, Kentrella, Kenzarius, Kanya, Krudasia, Krisshanti, Kewauna, Kenzaria, Kar'Dai-Jah, Khywon, Kanetra, Kamiyah, Kalasha, Kaminie, Keona, Jill, Karen, Lois, MELISSA...
NOOOOOO..

Dang, not for lack of trying...

It was a Sunday morning in March and I was piddling around the house, attempting to get moving. The baby shower was later that day and I was trying to get my act together. They were inducing labor that following Wednesday and things were about to get rocking.

Then the phone rang.

Her father in law called to say that the shower had been cancelled. Cherie had gone into labor that morning and the baby didn't make it. Her poor little heart (that was being watched closely) wasn't strong enough to bring her into this world. Devastated, I fell to my knees and cried.

They named her Hannah.

I so admire the faith in God and love for each other that Cherie and her husband share. In their darkest hours they were not torn apart but made stronger. We are not privy to some of His reasons and never will be. Together they are somehow working through it.. and I am in awe.

On Friday, Miss Cherie made a big announcement .. they are pregnant again! The joy and fear is undoubtedly simultaneous and I would like to ask a favor of all of you. Please keep them and their family in your daily prayers and good thoughts these next nine months (and beyond). Also, when you have a sec, surf on over to her new blog Meet The Robinsons and give her a big, blogospheric "Howdy Do!"

Driving Miss Daisy

"What in the world are we thinking???" I wonder this on a daily basis.

I have had my heart crushed throughout my life, why invite it?? A lot of times I tempt fate and bring it on myself. Naive? Not really, just suffering from The Glass is Half Full Syndrome. I'm a believer in things bigger than me (my God) and that He has a Plan.

Call me Miss Daisy.. I'm in the back seat and He has the wheel. Things don't always go as I intended them but that's the exciting part of our road trip. We'll take a turn down a different road (completely unexpected) and blamo, we've embarked on a whole new adventure. Never in a million years could I have imagined the life I now lead, the wonderful husband and family I have, the job I go to and the beautiful home we live in. Not to mention all the amazing people I've met along the way. I can't describe it only to say it's beyond cool. Blessings everywhere.

That doesn't stop me from doubting my abilities to handle this daunting task. Everything from making the right decision on who gets placed with us, to taking care of them, loving them, dealing with the visitations with their birth parents and being at the bottom of the system's totem pole. Let's not forget the prospect of reunification.. the county's goal is to get them back with their family. Let me state for the record that, for now, I avoid movies like "Losing Isaiah" like the plague. How will I handle having to let go? The thought hangs in the back of my mind as a thick, brooding cloud. It robs some of the joy but we knew this going into it.

Society views foster parents as in it for the money (trust me when I say, you don't quit your day job because of your newly found income) and you really only hear the horror stories in the news. Locked in closets, starved, beaten and abused. How do they slip through? I don't know. What I do know is that birth parents get away with abuse for years but if there's even a hint of something amiss in a foster home out the children go, say goodbye to your certification.. and you could be charged with a felony. A FELONY. Did I mention some kids make false allegations? Ya.. scary.

So much can go wrong. Adding to our family is to enrich our lives, not ruin our marriage. There is so much at stake. I cling to the one thing I hear over and over.. we will never teach the children as much as they will teach us. If they do not stay a piece of our hearts will go with them and maybe.. just maybe we will make a positive difference in a little one's life. That's all we can ask.

Drive On...