A long while back, I wrote this post about being a new foster mom.  In that post I invited you into the journey and longed to share our process with you. 

Some things just aren't meant to be the way we initially thought they were. 

I found that I needed time...and more time...and more time to continue processing this journey as it continued to unfold. Gosh, this situation was so complicated.  How could I share in real time something that was breaking me down as a person and challenging every bit of goodness I had in me?

There are so many stories I would love to share with you. There are reflections I have as a foster mom, and now adoptive mom, that I believe I had to live through in order to be an encouragement to others. 

For now, let's begin at the end. We recently had the beautiful opportunity to adopt our son. That makes us a family of 6 now, and we are looking forward to the possibility of fostering another child soon. (What? Am I crazy?? ...Yes. LOL...) Our hearts and arms are open to caring for a child who needs a safe place to be while the grown-ups in his/her/their life sort out the issues and make the plan to heal the family unit. 

Foster care in this house is child focused. We look at real needs in real time and work hard to help any child see the treasure they are and the good that exists inside and around them. We are a home that wants to offer space for healing and an example of love. WE ARE NOT PERFECT! We mess up. We miss opportunities. We get tired. But we strive to be honest and own our mistakes, apologizing when necessary. We work to help kiddos reach important milestones and learn how to simply be a kid. I didn't realize children would need to be taught how to be carefree when coming into foster care, but now I know that full well.

I'll be making an attempt to go back in time and walk you all through a bit of the process we experienced. I hope you're in for a rollercoaster. ;)   

Along the way, I will be happy to answer questions. You can ask in the comments or DM me on instagram or email me. I can't promise I can share answers to every question, but I can promise to try or share something helpful if I can't give you the full answer. 

Love y'all!

I'll see ya "around".

Amy

I Ditched You, Back There...

• #adoptionislove #fostercare #fostermom #fostermomlife #fosterparenting #fostertoadopt #life adoption adoptive mom
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I am a Foster Mom.

Just typing those words makes me sit up a bit straighter and hold my head up. And is that because I'm so proud of myself? Ha! NO! It's because of the face I see in my mind when I say those words; the boy I have the privilege of caring for.

There was a time in my life when I complained about the loooooooong waiting process of becoming a foster mom. Twelve years ago, the hubster and I set it as a family mission - caring for a child from the foster care system. Twelve years ago, we thought we were ready. Twelve years ago, now almost 13, we had our first biological child and quickly learned we knew precious little about being parents.

The hubster and I spent time volunteering at summer camps for foster children. You all remember my posts about the things I was making for camp and my experiences there? Surely after all that exposure and training, we were ready. Right?

In the 12 years of waiting, we've been busy raising 3 beautiful kiddos of our own and made one giant leap from living in Michigan (where we were *this* close to being a licensed home) to living in Kentucky (where we had to begin the process again). We believed the entire time that WE WERE READY, ALREADY.

We received our foster care license in Kentucky and waited 7 months before we received a call for our first placement. This boy. This one we care for as if he were born to us. He came to us as a respite placement, meaning we were allowed to back out of the commitment after a weekend if we felt he was too much for us.




And I instantly fell in love.
And I instantly saw the amazing potential he had (if only he were encouraged).
And my heart has broken many, many times while learning who this boy is and what his life was before me.
And I dread the day I have to give him back but know I will send him back knowing he is loved.

This boy is proof that waiting is beneficial. Had we met him any sooner, we wouldn't have been ready. I can tell you, this boy deserves 12 years of waiting and growing on our part. He deserves the entire world if you can afford to give it.

I hope you all will welcome me back to this space of sharing my life and experiences with you. I hope you will all celebrate with me the new word I've added to my title of "Mom". Being a Foster parent has taught me so very, very much and I intend to share my heart and soul with you on that very topic.

Let's take this journey together, yes? We are not all meant to be Foster Parents but you are welcome to be a part of the village here. I welcome your questions, your advice, your encouragement, & your prayers.

~Amy

I Am A Foster Mom

• #fostercare #fostermom #fostermomlife #fosterparenting #fostertoadopt #life #momlife foster parenting fosterparenting life
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