The beginning of a school year, for us, is insane! So many new experiences, friends, teachers, & classes. You can feel the stress around our house. God always comes through and shows our family that we can trust Him with all of our fears & anxiety.
Alaina, not only is reading on a 2nd grade level, but absolutely LOVES her teacher. She is working through a workbook, teaching herself to write in CURSIVE! I am not sure where she gets her drive to learn, but it makes my job as her mom so much easier. 1st grade has been a wonderful experience for her so far and I know it's going to get better from here.
Brandon has hit 3rd grade with a smile. He has a teacher who can be hard when needed, but really just wants to see them do their best. He loves a challenge and I think this teacher is up for that challenge!
H-Bomb and I(yes, that is how Hannah signs her name) are doing preschool here at home. This is the first time I have attempted preschool with any of my other children. She loves to learn, but still wants to put her slant on things. I try to explain that some things aren't up for change, but she is determined to see things how she wants them to be rather than how they really are. She really brightens my days : )
My baby, Logan, is potty trained now. YAY! He seems to be growing up faster than the others. Not happy about that, but he is lots of fun. The girls always want him to be the dad, prince or the baby during their pretend play. He always ends up being the dinosaur! Gotta love that kid~
As of August 18th, Matt & I officially became licensed foster parents in the great state of Texas. To start things off, were asked to provide respite care for another foster family for four days. Basically, we were responsible for 2 foster children while the foster parents went out of state. It was our first taste of having SIX kids in our house. We were doing fine, but I think I stressed myself out way more than necessary. A day after their foster mom had picked them up, I was diagnosed with Shingles!
SHINGLES! I am a healthy 32 year old~ what the heck am I doing with SHINGLES!! The doctors told me that I probably had a supressed immune system due to too much STRESS! So I took the next week and rested...as much as a mother of 4 can. All is well now. The medication did it's job and praise be to God that I only had severe pain for the first couple of days. After that, the swelling went down quickly and the pain was mostly gone. A week after the diagnosis, I was feeling great- rested and back at the gym. Unfortunately during this week, we were unable to take a placement of a sibling group because of my prior diagnosis. But we know that God works all things together for our good and that His ways are perfect & flawless. So we marched on~
This past Thursday, I got a call about a sibling group that fit our critieria. I remember texting Matt telling him to accept the placement, he did, and I began getting things ready for two more kiddos. For me, it really doesn't take much to attach to a child. I remember scurrying around the house washing bedding and asking friends for baby furniture, completely ready to take on any situation that comes through my door. An hour later, my phone rang. Our placement coordinator was on the phone telling me that CPS had decided to place the children with a family closer to their bio-family...
CRASH! I know they were not my kids, but I still felt like my balloon popped. I had gone from thinking "I am crazy- I cannot be a mom of 6" to "I cannot wait to tackle this". I was mad, sad, confused, and all of the above. But again, that small voice in my head interupted my thought pattern. I took a deep breath. God is working. I know He has something else for us.
So that brings us to the first few weeks of September. We are currently working on another placement. I know that my God is soveriegn. He has already written tomorrow and the days after that. We can rest in Him knowing that if this is His plan for our family, it will happen and He will equip us.
God has a wonderful way of showing us how close He is by using great people to come along side us and help us out. You all know who you are and we LOVE you!!! For now, we fix our eyes on Him and know that He is worthy of our trust ~
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wait Patiently for Him
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him ~Ps.37:7~
"Hurry up and wait" seems to be the order of our summer so far. We have submitted to every requirement for fostering children in this state, but have yet to be licensed. Weeks go by and I say "God, I think we are ready now" , and then another mountain comes into view that we need His help to climb. I am surprised at how often I tell God my timetable on how things should go, thinking He will compromise His sovereignty. But daily I am reminded how thankful I am that the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow knows what's best for me and my family- His way in His timing.
A few weeks ago, I had to make a hurried trip back to Wyoming to be with family as we said goodbye to our wonderful Grandpa Claude. He lived a hard life, but was one of the most generous & graceful men I have ever known. God allowed us the peace of knowing where he is spending eternity. My sweet Grandpa acknowledged Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior in his last days on this earth. What a gift to receive!!
The day after I got back from Wyoming, we were blessed to be able to take a real family vacation. We made the 12 hour drive to Florida, anxious to have a beach vacation. Being a mom of four kids and knowing the trip ahead of them, I was amazed at how God kept them content & calm throughout our drive there & back. Matt was able to unwind, have fun, and just soak up family time. The kids were able to play with cousins, appreciate another part of God's beautiful world, and create memories that will brighten their life forever. I found a good sized shell that washed up on the shore right at my feet. That little shell made my week! A little something I can take with me to remember God's faithfulness. He is in the smallest detail of our lives. I thank Him for giving us that week with family to rest & refresh our minds. Florida is beautiful! I highly recommend the beaches near Destin : )
Now we are quickly approaching the middle of July. I see God clearly telling us to continue waiting and know that He is God of EVERYTHING!!! He does everything flawlessly and in a perfectly orchestrated way. Please continue to pray for us as we wait on the Lord. Pray for the children who will be coming into our house. May they be able to soak up our love and see Him in what we say & do. Also, pray that the affected families will be open to truth, restoration, and healing. Wrapping this blog up with one of my favorite promises seems fitting:
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit." ~Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Hurry up and wait" seems to be the order of our summer so far. We have submitted to every requirement for fostering children in this state, but have yet to be licensed. Weeks go by and I say "God, I think we are ready now" , and then another mountain comes into view that we need His help to climb. I am surprised at how often I tell God my timetable on how things should go, thinking He will compromise His sovereignty. But daily I am reminded how thankful I am that the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow knows what's best for me and my family- His way in His timing.
A few weeks ago, I had to make a hurried trip back to Wyoming to be with family as we said goodbye to our wonderful Grandpa Claude. He lived a hard life, but was one of the most generous & graceful men I have ever known. God allowed us the peace of knowing where he is spending eternity. My sweet Grandpa acknowledged Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior in his last days on this earth. What a gift to receive!!
The day after I got back from Wyoming, we were blessed to be able to take a real family vacation. We made the 12 hour drive to Florida, anxious to have a beach vacation. Being a mom of four kids and knowing the trip ahead of them, I was amazed at how God kept them content & calm throughout our drive there & back. Matt was able to unwind, have fun, and just soak up family time. The kids were able to play with cousins, appreciate another part of God's beautiful world, and create memories that will brighten their life forever. I found a good sized shell that washed up on the shore right at my feet. That little shell made my week! A little something I can take with me to remember God's faithfulness. He is in the smallest detail of our lives. I thank Him for giving us that week with family to rest & refresh our minds. Florida is beautiful! I highly recommend the beaches near Destin : )
Now we are quickly approaching the middle of July. I see God clearly telling us to continue waiting and know that He is God of EVERYTHING!!! He does everything flawlessly and in a perfectly orchestrated way. Please continue to pray for us as we wait on the Lord. Pray for the children who will be coming into our house. May they be able to soak up our love and see Him in what we say & do. Also, pray that the affected families will be open to truth, restoration, and healing. Wrapping this blog up with one of my favorite promises seems fitting:
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit." ~Jeremiah 17:7-8
Sunday, June 12, 2011
In the beginning...
I am starting with a brief explanation as to how we have gotten to this point. Just over 14 years ago, Matt & I met through my best friend and started dating soon after. On August 7, 1999 we were married at his beautiful home church, Travis Avenue Baptist Church, in Fort Worth, Tx. Two people could not have been more opposite and focused in two completely different directions. We worked and finished up school, unaware that God was bringing us together on His terms for His purpose.
We were greatly blessed with our first son on September 1, 2002. Brandon is such a smart & insightful kid. I won't be surprised if he pursues a career in law because of his ability to negotiate & defend any cause. I can honestly say that Matt & I made lots of parenting mistakes with him, but again God has our backs. Before Brandon's first birthday, Matt served on a jury that sent a mom away for 40 years for making & using drugs in front of her kids. From that point, the conversation was started about possibly adopting a child.
A year later, Alaina Grace came along on October 1, 2004. She was such a high maintenance baby, but has grown into such a empathetic & loving girl. We joke that she's a better parent than both of us put together. : ) Matt & I resumed our conversation about adopting, even starting paperwork with an agency, but God had other plans. Hannah Faith came along on March 19, 2007. So happy and content as an infant. She has grown to own the loving name Hurricane Hannah. She loves to have fun whenever and where ever she happens to be. If there are no friends or siblings around, she just creates her own playmates. If I have any wisdom thus far in regards to parenting, it would be that transitioning from two kids to three is one of the hardest things I have done! But after the dust settles, you find your new normal and life marches forward. Two years later God blessed us again with a son. Logan Russell was born on May 12, 2009. He is a mama's boy, so loving & sweet.
Now, Matt & I wholeheartedly know God has given us the green light to move forward with helping a child...but a whole new prospective is coming into focus. Adoption is fading, while fostering children is where our hearts seem to be settling. Fostering a child means temporarily helping someone's child while the parents are expected to help themselves. We have the opportunity to minister to a family, not just a child. Following God's lead, we are diving in.
So many agencies to pick from, and I'm sure they are all good. But a friend of mine had used Presbyterian Children Homes and Services and had a great experience with the whole fostering process. Matt & I were sold once we met our caseworker. We were off and running toward very unfamiliar territory.
After much paperwork, classes, TB tests, inspections, fingerprints, background checks, and a home study, we are now waiting for the State of Texas to officially license us to foster kids.
It's been almost nine months since we started the process with PCHAS. Just the right amount of time to absorb what's about to happen. Trying to prepare for something we really can't prepare for mentally or emotionally is exhausting. We will be opening our home to a child who may have nothing but the shirt on their back, completely traumatized by the removal process. That's where we launch way beyond ourselves. Our faith in God and His Word take over.
God has called each of His children to do something. He has lavished His love on us, equipped each of us according to His call on our lives. If we don't step up and bring children who are in the midst of darkness into His light, who will???
So friends, my intent on starting this blog is to keep you informed on our story. The ups & downs as we fix our eyes on Jesus to lead us through. Maybe someone else will step up and help a child who so desperately needs someone to step in and love them. Stay tuned....
We were greatly blessed with our first son on September 1, 2002. Brandon is such a smart & insightful kid. I won't be surprised if he pursues a career in law because of his ability to negotiate & defend any cause. I can honestly say that Matt & I made lots of parenting mistakes with him, but again God has our backs. Before Brandon's first birthday, Matt served on a jury that sent a mom away for 40 years for making & using drugs in front of her kids. From that point, the conversation was started about possibly adopting a child.
A year later, Alaina Grace came along on October 1, 2004. She was such a high maintenance baby, but has grown into such a empathetic & loving girl. We joke that she's a better parent than both of us put together. : ) Matt & I resumed our conversation about adopting, even starting paperwork with an agency, but God had other plans. Hannah Faith came along on March 19, 2007. So happy and content as an infant. She has grown to own the loving name Hurricane Hannah. She loves to have fun whenever and where ever she happens to be. If there are no friends or siblings around, she just creates her own playmates. If I have any wisdom thus far in regards to parenting, it would be that transitioning from two kids to three is one of the hardest things I have done! But after the dust settles, you find your new normal and life marches forward. Two years later God blessed us again with a son. Logan Russell was born on May 12, 2009. He is a mama's boy, so loving & sweet.
Now, Matt & I wholeheartedly know God has given us the green light to move forward with helping a child...but a whole new prospective is coming into focus. Adoption is fading, while fostering children is where our hearts seem to be settling. Fostering a child means temporarily helping someone's child while the parents are expected to help themselves. We have the opportunity to minister to a family, not just a child. Following God's lead, we are diving in.
So many agencies to pick from, and I'm sure they are all good. But a friend of mine had used Presbyterian Children Homes and Services and had a great experience with the whole fostering process. Matt & I were sold once we met our caseworker. We were off and running toward very unfamiliar territory.
After much paperwork, classes, TB tests, inspections, fingerprints, background checks, and a home study, we are now waiting for the State of Texas to officially license us to foster kids.
It's been almost nine months since we started the process with PCHAS. Just the right amount of time to absorb what's about to happen. Trying to prepare for something we really can't prepare for mentally or emotionally is exhausting. We will be opening our home to a child who may have nothing but the shirt on their back, completely traumatized by the removal process. That's where we launch way beyond ourselves. Our faith in God and His Word take over.
God has called each of His children to do something. He has lavished His love on us, equipped each of us according to His call on our lives. If we don't step up and bring children who are in the midst of darkness into His light, who will???
So friends, my intent on starting this blog is to keep you informed on our story. The ups & downs as we fix our eyes on Jesus to lead us through. Maybe someone else will step up and help a child who so desperately needs someone to step in and love them. Stay tuned....
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