New Year...2017

January...It seems like everyone chooses a new beginning because its the start of a new year. I don't think it makes a difference WHAT month it is...every day is the chance for a new beginning.  With that said...

Catching up with life. We haven't had a call since Baby Doodles first call for preventive respite back in January of 2016.  If you remember, she came and left for a few months before she actually was placed in care.  After my surgery in June of 2016 she was placed with a pre-adoptive family (The Smith's) and she is thriving. I see her quite often and I am completely smitten when we are together. She has come so far. She is walking and babbling and always puts her hand out and says "hi" when I see her.  She makes my heart so happy.  I also am able to love on another foster mama's foster baby once a week.  He is a preemie who was born 2 months early but is 5 months old now and doing well.  He is starting to make great eye contact and coo and he just me.  These babies fill my heart while we wait for out next placement.  We are considering changing our certification from our current county to a county an hour away.  It's a much bigger city and they have a need for baby geared homes. With our experience with medically fragile babies the adoption worker from that county said she thinks we'd be an asset to them but the only thing that may hinder our switch is the drive.  I put in a call to the home finders in that city and will wait for a call back.  I know that Christmas (2016) week they had 2 newborns that they had a very hard time placing :/ (My friend who is with the agency we used to be with is now fostering one of those babies)

Anyway, Sprout turned 6 a few days before Christmas and is THE MOST amazing boy EVER!! He's thriving in kindergarten and making friends. Watching him learn to read and write is just amazing and he is so much fun to be with.  My older kids are LOVING every stage with him.  They adored him as a toddler and now they take him out with their friends and he is just such a social kid.  Just when I feel like it can't get much better than this...it does :) There's not a day that goes by that we are not SO THANKFUL for the opportunity to parent him.  And just so you know...he's asking for a brother!  

On hold...

I guess I'd have to go back and check to be sure but I think this is the longest we've been without a placement. Doodle left us June 21. That's something like 15 weeks ago without even a call. I'm making the effort to enjoy this in between time but to be honest, the thought of jumping back into the drama and the emotion of foster care is scary. I guess we'll see what happens when/if the time comes. 

I have been extremely blessed. God's hand was so clear in having Doodle moved to another home. I've already said that Mama Smith and I have been in contact but we've seen each other at least once a week since Doddle was placed with them.  Doodle just started crawling and is doing SO well! I'm blessed to have formed an amazing friendship with her.  There are very few people who can tolerate talking about foster care. It seems that those fostering are the ones that will not only listen...but can relate.  So, Sprout has been able to see Doodle and I've been able to snuggle her <3 em="">
Blessed!
The Smith's are also fostering a 3 year old little boy. Please keep them in your prayers. Having 2 cases going at one is extremely stressful. 

Doodle update

I've been so blessed that the Smith family have been in close contact and I've been able to love on and snuggle Doodle a few times since she's left us. She is THRIVING. Mama Smith has been wonderful to send pictures and updates and she's been keeping me in the loop with Doodle's case. It does look like her bio mom is pregnant but there is no confirmation yet. The little boy that the Smith's are fostering is 3 and his bio mom has 2 yr old twins, a one yr old and just had a new baby 2 months early. (She doesn't have custody of any of her kids). I encouraged Mama Smith to buy a BIG stroller :)

We are missing Doodle fiercely but I KNOW that she is where she should be. They are so in love with her. Mama Smith told me that when Doodle hears Papa Smith's voice when he comes in from work she strains to get into his arms.  I am so happy to hear this.

Sprout is doing excellent and enjoying his summer. Swimming daily and being the outdoor boy he is! I am still in shock that he will be going to kindergarten this fall. At almost 6 years old I am not ready to send him but I know it's just one of the many steps in letting go.  He is the youngest of our 5 children and knows he is adorable. He's the sweetest little love and I am so blessed to be his mama.  We're praying for a new little bundle and patiently waiting.  Only God knows who is coming next.  We're ready!

Doodle Smith??!?

Almost 3 weeks ago I had major surgery. The night before I went into the hospital, Doodle went to respite with an amazing family.  A family that I'd met before but didn't know personally. We have mutual friends and I felt VERY comfortable with her staying there while I recovered. The plan was 3 days. I stayed in the hospital 1 night and by the time I was released it was apparent I was going to need more time to recover so I asked  if she could stay for a few more days. I could barely walk and hold myself up let alone a 17 pound baby. They said yes. A few days later I asked to extend it to a full 7 days. They said yes. One week turned into 2...

***The inside story***

Speaking to the home finder PRIOR to surgery I asked her who she thought would be a good respite placement for Doodle. She asked if we were pre-adoptive for her and I had to answer no. She said she has pre-adoptive families that are willing to do respite and she mentioned 2 to me. I was not ok with either family. In one family there was no one to stay home and in the other, the dad was stay at home and the couple was in their 50's. I just wasn't at peace with that. (VERY THANKFUL this home finder values my opinion for Doodle).  We threw around the idea of Doddle staying here and going to daycare everyday for a week but I didn't think that would be good either because I couldn't hold her and I KNOW if she saw me...she'd want me. The home finder then mentioned a couple, The Smith's, whose name I'd heard before and I know we have some mutual friends. They are young and already fostering a 3 yr old boy. I had briefly spoken to Mama Smith at a training and we almost crossed paths regarding a placement of her foster sons brothers a few years back. I was so comfortable with the idea of Doodle going to them. We arranged a meeting for Mama Smith and I to get together for her to meet Doodle and for us to speak.  The next day I met her at the mall where she and Doddle hit it off.  Before long, Doodle was cooing and laughing in her arms. I was amazed. I explained to Mama Smith that we are not a pre-adoptive home for Doodle and I know that the home finder said that they were pre-adoptive. I asked her what she thought about keeping Doodle longer than the supposed 3 days...like maybe 5 days or even a week. She was definitely ok with that. We spoke in depth about Doodle's case and the fact that many of us think that Doodle's mom expecting another baby.  She said that her and Papa Smith were ok with taking on a sibling if it came to that and she told me a little more about her foster son and the way she's kept connections with his bio 1/2 brothers. The more we spoke the more I felt like I found a new friend. I explained to her that since we have no interest in adopting, and with Doodle's lack of bonding with her birth mom, that it would benefit Doodle to be placed with her forever family sooner than later. She agreed. (I mean seriously! If you were adopting a baby...wouldn't you want that baby in your arms as young as possible!?!?!) I told her that I would not request Doodle to be moved but she could ask the home finder about having Doodle moved to them. So, 3 days turned into 5 and then a week.  She made calls to the home finder that went unanswered.  Then I called Doodle's worker and asked if we could extend the respite another week because Mama Smith had no problem with it.  The home finder finally called her back and they spoke.  THEN the home finder called me. She asked what she thought about having Doodle moved to the Smith's house because they were pre-adoptive. I told her that I thought that it was the best decision for Doodle because of her age and circumstance.  The home finder then reminded me that we would now have an empty bed and things are 'picking up' in D*S*S* land. 

Mama Smith has brought Doodle to us when she picked up the remainder of her clothes, toys, diapers and formula from our home.  She is happy, healthy and THRIVING in the Smith home. I am BEYOND excited that I get to be a part of this unfolding story.  Doodle's bio mom has been skipping visits for the past 4 weeks and I am so glad that Doodle has the Mama and Papa Smith to love on her while she goes through this journey called 'foster care'.  I know God is faithful...and she is in the palm of His hand. 

Always more to the story...

Doodle is doing excellent. She is the hardest baby I've ever had (emotionally) but there's been so much progress that I'm so excited to see what the future holds for her. Her bio mom missed every visit from May 9 until the 2nd week in June. Now it looks like bio mom has a belly but no one at the county is allowed to ask :/ Doodle screams her head off during visits and when I pick her up she's still trying to catch her breath and her eyes are puffy. The workers will work with bio mom on how to parent during these visits. Doodle was evaluated for Early In%tervention and was found to be above average!! I'm so excited that she's THRIVING!!!

The court ordered sibling visits with her 2 year old brother. I know that they share the same bio dad but since paternity was never established they are calling then 1/2 siblings.
Big brother is placed with paternal grandma but she doesn't want Doodle. (I've heard that grandma is hoping that we adopt Doodle). 

I am having a procedure done that requires a lot of recovery time and Doodle will be going to respite with a family that is pre-adoptive. I love this sweet baby and I want God's best for her but I don't think that we are included in her future. I spoke at length with the worker and we feel that it's best that she goes into respite with a family that is most likely to adopt. During the 'meet and greet' time, Doodle did exceptional with this 'stranger'. She chatted like normal and was very comfortable in her arms. I'm excited to see what the future holds. Busy next few weeks but will update as I can...

What's going on with Doodle?

She's been here for 40 days. She's happy and seems more settled than I've ever seen her.  She knows that when she cries her needs will be met. She would rather be in someone's arms than anywhere else and we accommodate her as often as we can. She is rolling from back to belly and belly to back. She is trying to clap her hands and sit up. Bio mom has missed the past few weeks of visits and phone calls. She just disappeared. No one from the county has heard from her. Hoping she's safe and making good decisions. I have a feeling that Doodle is going to be a big sister but there's no confirmation on that. I'm just enjoying my time with her and LOVING the snuggles!!!