Summer Update

I realize for many of you, this is the only way you are able to keep up with our fostering journey.  I feel like I see so many friends on a regular basis and share with them face to face, but of course the more praying for us and Sweetie, the better.

Our Sweetie turned 1!  She is crawling, getting into everything, and is sleeping through the night!  Hooray!!!  She is such an easy baby.  She rarely fusses, and loves to make us laugh with her silly faces.  She is an absolute delight.  In some ways I feel like I haven't had the full foster parent experience because none of this feels so overwhelming or horrendous or any of the other words I had heard concerning foster parenting.  I think too that's because she is a baby and we haven't experienced the really tough parenting challenges that come from bringing an older child into your home.

I'm sorry to leave you with such a heavy last post, but the news now has changed.  Such is the nature of foster care, I've learned.  Unfortunately, Sweetie's mom has taken a turn for the worst and has declined contact with her for over a month now.  She is a no show for visits, or she cancels the morning of, or now she just fails to confirm them at all.  She also continues to test positive for drug use.  I do not know specifically what.  I fear she is in a really bad place.  We pray for her safety and a softened heart towards the things that matter.

All of that means, that despite the upswing her mom had in the spring, she is proving to the court that she is not capable of providing a safe home for Sweetie.  We have a court date later this month in which we will learn if Sweetie is getting one step closer to becoming adopted (by us) or her stay will be prolonged with us, up to 6 months, to give her mom time to get clean and in a safe place.

It's a bit much to think about.  I really just take it one day at a time.  I see no reason to get all emotional about it.  It has nothing to do with me.  We as foster parents have no say in any of this, other than letting CPS know that we would be willing to adopt her.

I'm most struggling with the thought of being an adoptive parent.  I know it's sounds unbelievable, but we really hadn't prepared ourselves for this part.  We believed that our home would become a revolving door for babies in foster care, and we were happy to provide that.  The thought of being a forever family to a foster child, well it's at our doorstep now.

Since the case is rapidly changing at this stage, I'll try to do a better job at keeping up this blog.  I'm not really doing our foster journey justice through it, but I hope it's giving you a small glimpse into our lives.

Always feel free to message me any questions!