Last night was a much needed night out.
I forget that I need time off. I forget how much I need to see my friends. I forget to take a break from breaking my neck trying to be super mommy.
So, it's great that I'm blessed with friends that call and call and call until I go out. They insist. They plan and plot and tell me where and when.
In the end, I'm always very happy I listened and followed directions.
I have a girlfriend that knows and enables my weakness for sea food. And wine. And pasta. And chocolates. And...well, I have a lot of weakness in the realm of food and drink.
It was a great night of sea food and martinis. We were in beautiful, quiet, uncrowded places.
Even better, we were home before all the rain turned to ice.
It's been a very busy day. I'm being out numbered by the kids. One has decided that today is the day to potty train. Yippee. Not. It really means she is just spending the day peeing in her pants. A little one who is really frustrated with his math. Another one who is working out every possible way not to do any math. And still another who is teething and snotty.
We had the case worker for Little One and her state inspector along just for the ride. Thanks to all the public attention on the most recent foster care death we foster families are having way more fun doing our jobs.
At least it's Friday and I have half a plan in mind for dinner. I'm hoping for a quiet weekend, or at least our families version of a quiet and restful weekend.
On another note, I'm working my way through another book. Sour Revolution by John Burke. It's excellent. Be watching for when I place the call for all those willing to do the 60/60 with me. I think it would be very cool, perhaps even life changing.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Out Of The Mouths Of Babes...
Last night at bed time I was supervising the tooth brushing when this conversation occurred.
"Hey Mom"
(you did know that's my real name, right?)
"Yes?"
"How do you get those big wrinkles on your forehead?"
"What?"
"Those big wrinkles on your forehead? How do you get those? I want to know, so that I don't get them and look like you."
"Don't have any kids."
It's a real good thing he didn't need his teeth flossed last night.
"Hey Mom"
(you did know that's my real name, right?)
"Yes?"
"How do you get those big wrinkles on your forehead?"
"What?"
"Those big wrinkles on your forehead? How do you get those? I want to know, so that I don't get them and look like you."
"Don't have any kids."
It's a real good thing he didn't need his teeth flossed last night.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Cleaning Out The Junk
You know, yesterday was one of those days. Chalk it up to cabin fever, boys being boys, mama kicking in on the reality discipline, natural consequences and tough love or maybe a full moon. Add in a Legal Aid from the county, a potty training 2 year old and a teething baby.
Whoo Whee can I even begin to tell you the fun we had yesterday!
No. No. I'm sure I can't.
So, as legal aid walks up to the front door, the big boys are running circles around the main floor--in their jammies at 11--I'm tied to the babies feeding tube and The Little Miss is naked in the hallway. As I open up the door, naked Miss greets her with a rousing, "Look, I going potty!!"
And I'm thinking, really now, I could get so lucky that you're actually doing the deed.
No. No. I'm thinking you're just dancing naked in the hall.
We'll stick to the potty making story.
Later in the day there was a jump on the bed party.
That ended with The Little Mr.'s sleeping on the floor last night. After all, beds are a privilege, something to be treated with respect, especially when it isn't even your own bed.
There's some tough love lessons happening in our house.
I hate to see in my kids that attitude of entitlement.
We're learning some real hard lessons about what we NEED in this life and what we just want and enjoy and like to have.
I'm a mama on a mission. We'll be earning back all our stuff and in the process giving away about half of it I hope.
Good thing the weather is turning. I'll be keeping the van outside for a while so I have a place to store all the stuff.
I feel like I'm not overindulgent with my kiddos in terms of buying them lots of stuff, but as I was gutting their room this morning, I'm totally stunned at just how much has accumulated. It seems like it was multiplying while I was not sleeping at night. Sleep is for losers, you know.
It's great to have some clothes to choose from, books to read, games and toys to play with. It's nice to have some lovies and blankies and stuffies. But somewhere, somehow it exploded.
I fear my garage will be packed from floor to ceiling with stuff. I'm also betting that no one will even bother to look for most of it.
Maybe it's just a seasonal thing. We've seen a few glimpses of spring around here. Even if they only lasted for a day or two, we saw it and now we know it's coming. I guess it's just a year for deep spring cleaning, home and heart.
Whoo Whee can I even begin to tell you the fun we had yesterday!
No. No. I'm sure I can't.
So, as legal aid walks up to the front door, the big boys are running circles around the main floor--in their jammies at 11--I'm tied to the babies feeding tube and The Little Miss is naked in the hallway. As I open up the door, naked Miss greets her with a rousing, "Look, I going potty!!"
And I'm thinking, really now, I could get so lucky that you're actually doing the deed.
No. No. I'm thinking you're just dancing naked in the hall.
We'll stick to the potty making story.
Later in the day there was a jump on the bed party.
That ended with The Little Mr.'s sleeping on the floor last night. After all, beds are a privilege, something to be treated with respect, especially when it isn't even your own bed.
There's some tough love lessons happening in our house.
I hate to see in my kids that attitude of entitlement.
We're learning some real hard lessons about what we NEED in this life and what we just want and enjoy and like to have.
I'm a mama on a mission. We'll be earning back all our stuff and in the process giving away about half of it I hope.
Good thing the weather is turning. I'll be keeping the van outside for a while so I have a place to store all the stuff.
I feel like I'm not overindulgent with my kiddos in terms of buying them lots of stuff, but as I was gutting their room this morning, I'm totally stunned at just how much has accumulated. It seems like it was multiplying while I was not sleeping at night. Sleep is for losers, you know.
It's great to have some clothes to choose from, books to read, games and toys to play with. It's nice to have some lovies and blankies and stuffies. But somewhere, somehow it exploded.
I fear my garage will be packed from floor to ceiling with stuff. I'm also betting that no one will even bother to look for most of it.
Maybe it's just a seasonal thing. We've seen a few glimpses of spring around here. Even if they only lasted for a day or two, we saw it and now we know it's coming. I guess it's just a year for deep spring cleaning, home and heart.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Another Book
This one is Have a New Kid by Friday, by Kevin Leman.
It's very much on the order of Love and Logic. Lots of reality discipline and natural consequences.
It's also a good check up for the parents. It's a bit of an in your face reminder that almost everything traces back to the parents.
Pretty humbling. At least for me. Those attitudes and behaviors that I don't like in my kids have their seeds in me. Those gaps in their character mean work for me too, and not just on them, but on me.
It's a pretty decent book.
I love the Love and Logic book, but it's hard. It's a very good picture of how and why, but not so much the practical.
I need practical.
New Kid by Friday really hits the mark for me in terms of what to say and what to do in certain situations. And, he offers it up for many, many of the situations I have here in my house.
I see the clock ticking on these little boy-men who are almost half-way done. There's no time to waste thinking it'll work itself out or if I'm just a little more this or that. Nope. Times up.
Anyway, on top of being a pretty good parental guide, he's down to earth and a little bit funny.
I thought I'd share my most favorite funny quote from the book.
The subject is "my child wants to go to a youth group at another church". I love his response.
" Lots of children (especially teens) want to go to youth activities at another church. Usually there are good reasons for that. Some churches have really cool youth groups; others are stodgy and old-fashioned and plain uninteresting. Or just maybe there's some cute girl or guy who seems awfully interesting at the other church's group.
Parent, if you are going to pick a fight because your child wants to go to someone else's church, there's a clinical term to describe you: nuts! Be glad your child at least wants to go to church! Would an alternative--sitting on the corner smoking crack cocaine--be better?"
It's very much on the order of Love and Logic. Lots of reality discipline and natural consequences.
It's also a good check up for the parents. It's a bit of an in your face reminder that almost everything traces back to the parents.
Pretty humbling. At least for me. Those attitudes and behaviors that I don't like in my kids have their seeds in me. Those gaps in their character mean work for me too, and not just on them, but on me.
It's a pretty decent book.
I love the Love and Logic book, but it's hard. It's a very good picture of how and why, but not so much the practical.
I need practical.
New Kid by Friday really hits the mark for me in terms of what to say and what to do in certain situations. And, he offers it up for many, many of the situations I have here in my house.
I see the clock ticking on these little boy-men who are almost half-way done. There's no time to waste thinking it'll work itself out or if I'm just a little more this or that. Nope. Times up.
Anyway, on top of being a pretty good parental guide, he's down to earth and a little bit funny.
I thought I'd share my most favorite funny quote from the book.
The subject is "my child wants to go to a youth group at another church". I love his response.
" Lots of children (especially teens) want to go to youth activities at another church. Usually there are good reasons for that. Some churches have really cool youth groups; others are stodgy and old-fashioned and plain uninteresting. Or just maybe there's some cute girl or guy who seems awfully interesting at the other church's group.
Parent, if you are going to pick a fight because your child wants to go to someone else's church, there's a clinical term to describe you: nuts! Be glad your child at least wants to go to church! Would an alternative--sitting on the corner smoking crack cocaine--be better?"
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Big Week For Little One
For most of us it was just a plain old regular week. Cold and snow, school and chores, life in general.
For our smallest family member it was a milestone week. Little One got the hang of sitting up, improved his getting around skills considerably and cut his first tooth. He's not quite crawling, but sure makes his way around fast. He stays sitting up for a long time if you start him out that way and is making fast progress to getting there all on his own.
As for the tooth, well, just like any baby and his family, we're all thrilled that it's finally through. It was a long week of Tylenol for all of us. His tooth ache gave a lot of us a head ache or back ache from holding a fussy baby.
Little One is more than thrilled to be as mobile as he is. It's a sort of army crawl featuring his strong little arms. Soon enough I'm sure he'll be up in a full crawl. I've also caught him looking at furniture and working at pulling up to standing.
Hmm.
I remember being stunned when The Littlest Mr. got mobile so early. And then Little Miss somehow took me by surprise.
Once again, I'm thinking, wow, so not ready. Somehow, Little Miss, at a very lovely shade of 2-ness is not helping me keep the place very baby safe. She seems to be the master of finding all the dangerous stuff and leaving it enticingly around for Little One.
You'd think by now, baby number 4, I'd have it together and be a real child-proofing pro, but it's a little bit the opposite. I think I'm just a lot less afraid of things happening than I was a decade ago. That and a whole lot better at washing things and people.
For our smallest family member it was a milestone week. Little One got the hang of sitting up, improved his getting around skills considerably and cut his first tooth. He's not quite crawling, but sure makes his way around fast. He stays sitting up for a long time if you start him out that way and is making fast progress to getting there all on his own.
As for the tooth, well, just like any baby and his family, we're all thrilled that it's finally through. It was a long week of Tylenol for all of us. His tooth ache gave a lot of us a head ache or back ache from holding a fussy baby.
Little One is more than thrilled to be as mobile as he is. It's a sort of army crawl featuring his strong little arms. Soon enough I'm sure he'll be up in a full crawl. I've also caught him looking at furniture and working at pulling up to standing.
Hmm.
I remember being stunned when The Littlest Mr. got mobile so early. And then Little Miss somehow took me by surprise.
Once again, I'm thinking, wow, so not ready. Somehow, Little Miss, at a very lovely shade of 2-ness is not helping me keep the place very baby safe. She seems to be the master of finding all the dangerous stuff and leaving it enticingly around for Little One.
You'd think by now, baby number 4, I'd have it together and be a real child-proofing pro, but it's a little bit the opposite. I think I'm just a lot less afraid of things happening than I was a decade ago. That and a whole lot better at washing things and people.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
It's Time
Time to stand on my cookie box and scream into the wind again that is.
Every little while I read things about kids and I want to stop the world and shout--we're missing the point here!!
This is for all of you who aren't called to leave home to fulfill your God given mission. There's plenty to do around here in the good old, US of A. Heck, try on your state or county.
These are quotes from Understanding Foster Care and Adoption through the Eyes of a Child. Produced by Adoption Resources of Wisconsin.
*At any given time in a year, there are over 500,000 children in foster care; around 25% of those children are available for adoption.
*Many children in foster care wait an average of five years before finding permanency through adoption.
*Data from the January 2008 Department of Health and Human Services' Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System indicate that each year, the number of children who become available for adoption is greater than the number of children who are actually adopted. In fact, every year 20% of children exit foster care at age 18 without an adoptive family.
*Quote from a foster child* "I want a family so I know I will have people I can count on to be there for me when I need some support, a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on. I want a family to have at my high school graduation, to see me off to college, to come home to from my college spring break, to be there when I get married, and to see the birth of my children."
Try, just for a second to breath this all the way in.
These are kids. KIDS. Teens and pre-teens and they are scared and worried. They wondering how it's all supposed to work. They know they are supposed to work hard to graduate and go to college, get jobs, marry, have kids, live happily ever after. They have the same dreams. That isn't different because they are foster kids or because they come out of horrific abuse and neglect. But they wonder. And worry. And who wouldn't. So far, all the adults in their lives are failing them.
I wonder how motivated I would be to work at graduating high school if I knew that there wouldn't be anyone there to see me do it. There wouldn't be anyone who even cared that my name was read or I walked across the stage. Would I work hard to achieve it, if there was no one there to hand me a rose or shake my hand. What if there would never be a person to hug me or tell me they were proud of me, would I keep on?
What would it be like to be living a life knowing that I would never have a daddy to walk me down the aisle and hand me over to the man who loves me? Would I ever even look for a man who loves me or would I just be throwing myself away to anyone?
What is it like to live a life knowing that other than making a spectacular news story as a foster kid, no one really cares if I live or die in the system?
Think about your own kids. Think about all the little things we do that we think don't count for anything, all the things both we as parents and they as kids take for granted and imagine life without it. We know what sort of sandwich our kids like for lunch. We know their favorite clothing styles. We know how to order a pizza our kids will like, we know what sort of movie to rent for them or what kind of gift to get. We know what nicknames they love and cringe at.
Imagine life shuffling from home to home, none of them your home. Imagine being a forever guest, packing and unpacking.
Remember that feeling of going on a long vacation and longing to come home and just be home, the sweet release of that first night back sleeping in your own bed with your own pillow. Now imagine a life without it.
It's just my day to shout at the sky. That's all.
There's no harm in world missions. Certainly it's needed. Our world is filled with suffering. No question there. But there's a lot of suffering right here in our own back yards too.
Somehow in our current American version of Christian, we really, really overlook and undervalue those who serve the local abandoned, abused, neglected and orphaned. Somehow if it isn't a mega ministry or a big program it isn't worthy.
It seems a shame to be out saving the world but stepping over the orphans at our feet.
On another day I'll hit the related topic that surfaced yet again in the morning paper. Most minority girls--teens and pre-teens believe that being hit or sexually forced is a normal part of a healthy, average relationship.
That ought to make you slightly queasy at the very least.
We're missing the boat with our kids, every single step of the way.
They aren't accessories. They aren't puppies.
They are real live little human beings.
When did we forget the value of a person?
Why is there even a need to say these things?
It makes me so very grateful for a God who is bigger than all of this.
Every little while I read things about kids and I want to stop the world and shout--we're missing the point here!!
This is for all of you who aren't called to leave home to fulfill your God given mission. There's plenty to do around here in the good old, US of A. Heck, try on your state or county.
These are quotes from Understanding Foster Care and Adoption through the Eyes of a Child. Produced by Adoption Resources of Wisconsin.
*At any given time in a year, there are over 500,000 children in foster care; around 25% of those children are available for adoption.
*Many children in foster care wait an average of five years before finding permanency through adoption.
*Data from the January 2008 Department of Health and Human Services' Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System indicate that each year, the number of children who become available for adoption is greater than the number of children who are actually adopted. In fact, every year 20% of children exit foster care at age 18 without an adoptive family.
*Quote from a foster child* "I want a family so I know I will have people I can count on to be there for me when I need some support, a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on. I want a family to have at my high school graduation, to see me off to college, to come home to from my college spring break, to be there when I get married, and to see the birth of my children."
Try, just for a second to breath this all the way in.
These are kids. KIDS. Teens and pre-teens and they are scared and worried. They wondering how it's all supposed to work. They know they are supposed to work hard to graduate and go to college, get jobs, marry, have kids, live happily ever after. They have the same dreams. That isn't different because they are foster kids or because they come out of horrific abuse and neglect. But they wonder. And worry. And who wouldn't. So far, all the adults in their lives are failing them.
I wonder how motivated I would be to work at graduating high school if I knew that there wouldn't be anyone there to see me do it. There wouldn't be anyone who even cared that my name was read or I walked across the stage. Would I work hard to achieve it, if there was no one there to hand me a rose or shake my hand. What if there would never be a person to hug me or tell me they were proud of me, would I keep on?
What would it be like to be living a life knowing that I would never have a daddy to walk me down the aisle and hand me over to the man who loves me? Would I ever even look for a man who loves me or would I just be throwing myself away to anyone?
What is it like to live a life knowing that other than making a spectacular news story as a foster kid, no one really cares if I live or die in the system?
Think about your own kids. Think about all the little things we do that we think don't count for anything, all the things both we as parents and they as kids take for granted and imagine life without it. We know what sort of sandwich our kids like for lunch. We know their favorite clothing styles. We know how to order a pizza our kids will like, we know what sort of movie to rent for them or what kind of gift to get. We know what nicknames they love and cringe at.
Imagine life shuffling from home to home, none of them your home. Imagine being a forever guest, packing and unpacking.
Remember that feeling of going on a long vacation and longing to come home and just be home, the sweet release of that first night back sleeping in your own bed with your own pillow. Now imagine a life without it.
It's just my day to shout at the sky. That's all.
There's no harm in world missions. Certainly it's needed. Our world is filled with suffering. No question there. But there's a lot of suffering right here in our own back yards too.
Somehow in our current American version of Christian, we really, really overlook and undervalue those who serve the local abandoned, abused, neglected and orphaned. Somehow if it isn't a mega ministry or a big program it isn't worthy.
It seems a shame to be out saving the world but stepping over the orphans at our feet.
On another day I'll hit the related topic that surfaced yet again in the morning paper. Most minority girls--teens and pre-teens believe that being hit or sexually forced is a normal part of a healthy, average relationship.
That ought to make you slightly queasy at the very least.
We're missing the boat with our kids, every single step of the way.
They aren't accessories. They aren't puppies.
They are real live little human beings.
When did we forget the value of a person?
Why is there even a need to say these things?
It makes me so very grateful for a God who is bigger than all of this.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Cold Coffee and Parenting Books
We survived Valentine's Weekend.
Oh, wait. That's probably not the way Valentine's is supposed to go.
But this is life with kids, folks, so away we go.
The Little Mr. planned the family Valentine Day.
Over all, it was pretty sweet. I know, I know, punny. Not.
Can't help it, The Little Miss is on a helping bender, including helping me drink my coffee, so I keep hiding it away to keep her from actually drinking it or spilling it and then I forget I was drinking it. Not good for the woman who functions on caffeinated liquids.
So Saturday morning started out well. Everyone followed the instructions Mommy gave. If you want to have a good Valentine's let mama and daddy sleep in a little. This isn't like Christmas, there are no presents and we don't need to be up at 3AM to check and see if Santa remembered our house.
The breakfast menu was designed by The Little Mr. himself and he was the server. Mom was the cook. Lucky for all of us, we were having breakfast sammys. Egg, sausage and cheese on fresh made biscuits.
There were home made place mats and hand crafted Valentine cards. The table was very nice looking with a centerpiece of roses The Mr. brought home the night before.
I did manage to sneak in one small heart shaped box of treats for 3 of the kids, Little One is just too little. And yes, they did eat the whole box for breakfast. Dinner was a long requested pizza delivery. Perfect in my mind.
We had our "nice" dinner of steak and red wine the night before. The kids could care less, but The Mr. and I enjoyed ourselves, even if the table was full of little people.
The weekend was filled with play dates. Our kids and the neighbor kids went back and forth all weekend. Outside, inside, working hard to connive snacks from each set of weary parents. Overall, I think the scored big. There were lots of treats and video games and friends.
The big feature for the holiday weekend was the show the boys made for us. We had a long play covering ALL the Star Wars episodes complete with props.
All in all, a pretty great weekend.
Small discoveries would include; laundry triples on the weekend, food consumption also triples, no one naps on schedule, the phone rings off the hook, our lost stuff actually got found, good parenting is exhausting work that never ends and spurs one to continue to read the next book and finally, the greatest tool I have in my mommy tool belt these days is the Nintendo DS.
As for the parenting books, I'm working my way through the Kevin Leman book, New Kid By Friday. It's very much on the Love and Logic train of thought and I love, love, love, Love and Logic. It's hard going, but it works. And if you're careful, you can use it on adults too. Genius.
Back to life, dishes, laundry, school, teething babies, defiant toddlers, know everything tweens and sassy 6's. Ooh baby...where did I leave that cold cup of joe!
Oh, wait. That's probably not the way Valentine's is supposed to go.
But this is life with kids, folks, so away we go.
The Little Mr. planned the family Valentine Day.
Over all, it was pretty sweet. I know, I know, punny. Not.
Can't help it, The Little Miss is on a helping bender, including helping me drink my coffee, so I keep hiding it away to keep her from actually drinking it or spilling it and then I forget I was drinking it. Not good for the woman who functions on caffeinated liquids.
So Saturday morning started out well. Everyone followed the instructions Mommy gave. If you want to have a good Valentine's let mama and daddy sleep in a little. This isn't like Christmas, there are no presents and we don't need to be up at 3AM to check and see if Santa remembered our house.
The breakfast menu was designed by The Little Mr. himself and he was the server. Mom was the cook. Lucky for all of us, we were having breakfast sammys. Egg, sausage and cheese on fresh made biscuits.
There were home made place mats and hand crafted Valentine cards. The table was very nice looking with a centerpiece of roses The Mr. brought home the night before.
I did manage to sneak in one small heart shaped box of treats for 3 of the kids, Little One is just too little. And yes, they did eat the whole box for breakfast. Dinner was a long requested pizza delivery. Perfect in my mind.
We had our "nice" dinner of steak and red wine the night before. The kids could care less, but The Mr. and I enjoyed ourselves, even if the table was full of little people.
The weekend was filled with play dates. Our kids and the neighbor kids went back and forth all weekend. Outside, inside, working hard to connive snacks from each set of weary parents. Overall, I think the scored big. There were lots of treats and video games and friends.
The big feature for the holiday weekend was the show the boys made for us. We had a long play covering ALL the Star Wars episodes complete with props.
All in all, a pretty great weekend.
Small discoveries would include; laundry triples on the weekend, food consumption also triples, no one naps on schedule, the phone rings off the hook, our lost stuff actually got found, good parenting is exhausting work that never ends and spurs one to continue to read the next book and finally, the greatest tool I have in my mommy tool belt these days is the Nintendo DS.
As for the parenting books, I'm working my way through the Kevin Leman book, New Kid By Friday. It's very much on the Love and Logic train of thought and I love, love, love, Love and Logic. It's hard going, but it works. And if you're careful, you can use it on adults too. Genius.
Back to life, dishes, laundry, school, teething babies, defiant toddlers, know everything tweens and sassy 6's. Ooh baby...where did I leave that cold cup of joe!
Friday, February 13, 2009
10 for 5
It's a sort of Valentine I guess. 10 things I love about the top 5 in my life.
The Mr.
1. Still makes me laugh out loud after 20 years.
2. Handles all the finances so I don't have to.
3. Awesome daddy material.
4. Builds a great fire.
5. Walks the dog in the cold and rain and snow.
6. Indulges me.
7. Is the best listener in my life.
8. Prays with me and for me.
9. Takes out the trash.
10.Makes the coffee.
The Little Mr.
1. Very persistent.
2. A creative spirit.
3. Big hearted.
4. A survivor.
5. A passionate reader.
6. Honest.
7. Is a night owl.
8. Wants to do, see and be it all.
9. Believes in the impossible.
10.Is a remarkable big brother.
The Littlest Mr.
1. Can make anyone smile.
2. Is a happy person.
3. Loves his sleep.
4. Likes to fall asleep holding mommy or daddy's hand.
5. Super athletic.
6. Loves most foods and is an adventure eater.
7. Has a very high pain threshold.
8. Adores his big brother.
9. Loves on the Little's in just his own style.
10.His amazing blue eyes.
The Little Miss
1. Declares us HER momma and daddy.
2. Whispers I Love You in my ear when I get her dressed.
3. Adores chocolate.
4. Is both artistic and athletic.
5. Sings and dances for the whole family.
6. Always, always wants to help.
7. Loves to be outdoors.
8. Gives me "hair do's".
9. Strong willed.
10.She choose us.
Little One
1. His laughter.
2. His smiles.
3. His super good nature.
4. His determination to do what the big's are doing.
5. The way he cuddles in when you pick him up.
6. The way he splashes in the tub.
7. His resilience.
8. His playfulness.
9. How easily he is comforted.
10.The way he falls asleep in your arms when you stroke his hair.
There you have it. 10 for 5.
The Mr.
1. Still makes me laugh out loud after 20 years.
2. Handles all the finances so I don't have to.
3. Awesome daddy material.
4. Builds a great fire.
5. Walks the dog in the cold and rain and snow.
6. Indulges me.
7. Is the best listener in my life.
8. Prays with me and for me.
9. Takes out the trash.
10.Makes the coffee.
The Little Mr.
1. Very persistent.
2. A creative spirit.
3. Big hearted.
4. A survivor.
5. A passionate reader.
6. Honest.
7. Is a night owl.
8. Wants to do, see and be it all.
9. Believes in the impossible.
10.Is a remarkable big brother.
The Littlest Mr.
1. Can make anyone smile.
2. Is a happy person.
3. Loves his sleep.
4. Likes to fall asleep holding mommy or daddy's hand.
5. Super athletic.
6. Loves most foods and is an adventure eater.
7. Has a very high pain threshold.
8. Adores his big brother.
9. Loves on the Little's in just his own style.
10.His amazing blue eyes.
The Little Miss
1. Declares us HER momma and daddy.
2. Whispers I Love You in my ear when I get her dressed.
3. Adores chocolate.
4. Is both artistic and athletic.
5. Sings and dances for the whole family.
6. Always, always wants to help.
7. Loves to be outdoors.
8. Gives me "hair do's".
9. Strong willed.
10.She choose us.
Little One
1. His laughter.
2. His smiles.
3. His super good nature.
4. His determination to do what the big's are doing.
5. The way he cuddles in when you pick him up.
6. The way he splashes in the tub.
7. His resilience.
8. His playfulness.
9. How easily he is comforted.
10.The way he falls asleep in your arms when you stroke his hair.
There you have it. 10 for 5.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Cupid Shot Someone
Just today now, I've started 5 different stories and haven't gotten a single one up for you. Some weren't worth the effort and some I thought better of after I got to writing.
I'm thinking we're just having a few days that aren't all that exciting.
Amen.
About the only thing really going on around here is Valentine's Day.
I'm not much of a holiday person. They come, they go. I try to take note of them for the kids and make sure they get to enjoy the big ones, but most of them slide by without much notice.
But kids change everything. The Little Mr. seems to have really taken notice of holidays and all that should be a part of them.
He's taken it upon himself to make plans for the family for the happy heart day. He's been busy planning meals and treats. He's been helping the littler kids make crafts. And more crafts and still more crafts.
It seems like even after the clean up there are still little bits of construction paper everywhere.
They're planning plays and musicals. I've been blessed with all the rehersals.
He's been planning the activities for the day.
The placemats have been designed. The cupcakes frosted. Plenty of hearts have been cut from pink paper.
Time for this mama to get busy on some love notes.
I'm thinking we're just having a few days that aren't all that exciting.
Amen.
About the only thing really going on around here is Valentine's Day.
I'm not much of a holiday person. They come, they go. I try to take note of them for the kids and make sure they get to enjoy the big ones, but most of them slide by without much notice.
But kids change everything. The Little Mr. seems to have really taken notice of holidays and all that should be a part of them.
He's taken it upon himself to make plans for the family for the happy heart day. He's been busy planning meals and treats. He's been helping the littler kids make crafts. And more crafts and still more crafts.
It seems like even after the clean up there are still little bits of construction paper everywhere.
They're planning plays and musicals. I've been blessed with all the rehersals.
He's been planning the activities for the day.
The placemats have been designed. The cupcakes frosted. Plenty of hearts have been cut from pink paper.
Time for this mama to get busy on some love notes.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Excerpts
Better than a book review, it's selected snippets. Enjoy.
iLead
downloads on leadership in youth ministry
p.45
Mark 10 provides an incredible example of grace and truth leadership. A rich young man approaches Jesus and asks, "What should I do to get eternal life?" Jesus directs him to the Commandments, and the man replies that he has kept them all since he was a child. That's when, in verse 21, we see the incredible balance: "Jesus felt a genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The man left sad, and notice that Jesus never chased after him. He lovingly and simply extended the invitation (the transcendent call) and opened up a pathway to this man, but he wouldn't compromise the call itself.
For many believers today, Jesus could have been a bit more cunning. He could have invited the man to travel with the group and then convinced him of the truth as they walked. He could have drawn the man in with a game or icebreaker and gotten to the part about total commitment at some later date. But Jesus did not do these things. He led boldly, yet lovingly and openly, never compromising the truth, but never failing to apply grace.
p52-53.
But there is a question that begs to be asked. How well are we doing at discipleship?...Last year, I decided to open up one of mt talks with Bible Trivia. First, I told the students that Jesus had two half brothers that became believers and wrote New Testament books. I then asked if anyone could name just one of them. The answer, without any hesitation, was Elijah. I also asked if anyone knew how many books were in the New Testament. I received no answer. I explained that there are 27 books in the New Testament, and that Poul wrote a majority of those books. I asked if anyone knew how many books Paul wrote. The immediate answer form a student was 39. You do the math!
Now remember, these students confessed to be Christ-followers. While you many be thinking, "What's the big deal--you proved that kids don't know how to play Bible trivia," I don't believe that's what was proven at all. What was proven during that month as I traveled around teaching is that Christian students do not know or read their Bibles!...
One night, a representative from this church made it clear to me that this was a solid group that needed deeper Bible teaching. So, the next week I asked students to lift their Bible if they had one with them. Out of 60 students, only 3 had brought a Bible. I found it odd that a group that was supposed to be committed to deeper Bible study would shop up at church without their Bibles. Bottom line: I think many have overestimated how much our students know and love their Bible.
...How are we really doing in discipleship? I am not referring to how many people are involved in small groups or how solid the curriculum is. I want to know how fruitful we are in teaching students how to study the Bibles for themselves. Are students reading and studying their Bible everyday on their own? Are we encouraging them to do so?
p91.
Humility is a character quality rarely seen in leaders today, whether inside or outside the church. One reason I believe this is true is because many of the leadership resources we use give us the feeling that leadership is all about us. We read that "everything rises and falls on leadership" and "the buck stops here." What's more, traditional leadership training tells us to focus on our abilities to successfully lead others.
If, however, we open the pages of Scripture, we begin to see a different attitude toward leadership. Jesus' style was one that began with humility. He lowered himself in order to empower others to accomplish great things, always with a single purpose--to glorify the Father. This is a frightening way to lead because when others lead well, we might not be needed any more.
p109.
Teens may need the Bible's direction and discernment, but they don't necessarily want it. Where I live in the Northeast, the majority of teens are unchurched and immersed in the culture's postmodern worldview and it's morals. One of the chief tenets of culture's morals today is "tolerance" and "judge not lest you also be judged." Calling something right or wrong for religious reasons is considered intolerant and the ultimate evil. In fact, many teens in this generation think evangelical Christianity, which lays out specific moral direction in many areas of life, is a substandard morality. Translated, this means these teens think evangelicals are "dumb and mean" and are not as loving and kind as other politically correct views.
iLead
downloads on leadership in youth ministry
p.45
Mark 10 provides an incredible example of grace and truth leadership. A rich young man approaches Jesus and asks, "What should I do to get eternal life?" Jesus directs him to the Commandments, and the man replies that he has kept them all since he was a child. That's when, in verse 21, we see the incredible balance: "Jesus felt a genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The man left sad, and notice that Jesus never chased after him. He lovingly and simply extended the invitation (the transcendent call) and opened up a pathway to this man, but he wouldn't compromise the call itself.
For many believers today, Jesus could have been a bit more cunning. He could have invited the man to travel with the group and then convinced him of the truth as they walked. He could have drawn the man in with a game or icebreaker and gotten to the part about total commitment at some later date. But Jesus did not do these things. He led boldly, yet lovingly and openly, never compromising the truth, but never failing to apply grace.
p52-53.
But there is a question that begs to be asked. How well are we doing at discipleship?...Last year, I decided to open up one of mt talks with Bible Trivia. First, I told the students that Jesus had two half brothers that became believers and wrote New Testament books. I then asked if anyone could name just one of them. The answer, without any hesitation, was Elijah. I also asked if anyone knew how many books were in the New Testament. I received no answer. I explained that there are 27 books in the New Testament, and that Poul wrote a majority of those books. I asked if anyone knew how many books Paul wrote. The immediate answer form a student was 39. You do the math!
Now remember, these students confessed to be Christ-followers. While you many be thinking, "What's the big deal--you proved that kids don't know how to play Bible trivia," I don't believe that's what was proven at all. What was proven during that month as I traveled around teaching is that Christian students do not know or read their Bibles!...
One night, a representative from this church made it clear to me that this was a solid group that needed deeper Bible teaching. So, the next week I asked students to lift their Bible if they had one with them. Out of 60 students, only 3 had brought a Bible. I found it odd that a group that was supposed to be committed to deeper Bible study would shop up at church without their Bibles. Bottom line: I think many have overestimated how much our students know and love their Bible.
...How are we really doing in discipleship? I am not referring to how many people are involved in small groups or how solid the curriculum is. I want to know how fruitful we are in teaching students how to study the Bibles for themselves. Are students reading and studying their Bible everyday on their own? Are we encouraging them to do so?
p91.
Humility is a character quality rarely seen in leaders today, whether inside or outside the church. One reason I believe this is true is because many of the leadership resources we use give us the feeling that leadership is all about us. We read that "everything rises and falls on leadership" and "the buck stops here." What's more, traditional leadership training tells us to focus on our abilities to successfully lead others.
If, however, we open the pages of Scripture, we begin to see a different attitude toward leadership. Jesus' style was one that began with humility. He lowered himself in order to empower others to accomplish great things, always with a single purpose--to glorify the Father. This is a frightening way to lead because when others lead well, we might not be needed any more.
p109.
Teens may need the Bible's direction and discernment, but they don't necessarily want it. Where I live in the Northeast, the majority of teens are unchurched and immersed in the culture's postmodern worldview and it's morals. One of the chief tenets of culture's morals today is "tolerance" and "judge not lest you also be judged." Calling something right or wrong for religious reasons is considered intolerant and the ultimate evil. In fact, many teens in this generation think evangelical Christianity, which lays out specific moral direction in many areas of life, is a substandard morality. Translated, this means these teens think evangelicals are "dumb and mean" and are not as loving and kind as other politically correct views.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Only Constant Is Constant Changes
I have the sneaking suspision that a season of change is about to decend upon us.
I can feel the way I used to solidly see things and belive them to be changing out from under me. Some of the things I'd thought would be forever constants seem to feel less permanent.
There are other things that in the past I thought oh, I'd never have the energy, patience or whatever to do that or go there or play that game and now it seems the rules are changing. There are all kinds of things that I'm thinking no, I'm about ready to play and I'll play by your rules.
Lots of things have a season and then you out grow them or their purpose has been served and it's time to move along. It's not bad, not at all, it just means that life has kept on moving and I'm at least aware enough of it's passing to be trying to guage if I'm doing the right things in the right places.
Big and little, those changes are comming for us. Better be getting ready.
I can feel the way I used to solidly see things and belive them to be changing out from under me. Some of the things I'd thought would be forever constants seem to feel less permanent.
There are other things that in the past I thought oh, I'd never have the energy, patience or whatever to do that or go there or play that game and now it seems the rules are changing. There are all kinds of things that I'm thinking no, I'm about ready to play and I'll play by your rules.
Lots of things have a season and then you out grow them or their purpose has been served and it's time to move along. It's not bad, not at all, it just means that life has kept on moving and I'm at least aware enough of it's passing to be trying to guage if I'm doing the right things in the right places.
Big and little, those changes are comming for us. Better be getting ready.
Friday, February 6, 2009
More Thoughts That Aren't Connected
Just shows how much is rolling around in the head these days that I've got a list of things but they don't connect other than being inside my head at the same time.
My 2 year old is obsessed with standing on my left foot. It bugs me.
A 6 year old boy will eat 2 slices of toast, a large bowl of cereal with milk for breakfast and then request 2 waffles for dessert.
One of the very greatest moments in life is holding a baby in the moments they are falling asleep.
Thomas The Train is icky. More icky than Barney, Wiggles or Teletubbies. It's up there with Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Ick. Ick. Ick.
Salsa is a great dinner "cure" in a jar. Last night was chicken topped with salsa and cheese baked in the oven. It was served with lettuce, cheese, black olives, the rest of the salsa, chips and ranch dressing. Very versatile. A salad on the side. A giant taco type salad. Easy and tasty.
A 6 year old boy will eat half a bag of salad by himself, along with one chicken thigh and enough chips and salsa to start a restaurant.
On other topics, I'm mulling around the idea of having 6 kids and just what that would look like or more realistically, what I would need to change to do it well.
I know this will shock you, but I'm not all that organized or disciplined.
It's just not my nature. I can learn it and with great amounts of will power I can get better, but it never comes naturally. Every year of my life, I've gotten better at all that organizing and planning and stuff but only after taking the time to consciously decide to do it, make a plan and then have The Mr. hold me accountable to it. Group effort, I guess.
But 6 kids.
That would require a bit more serious effort on my part, at least in the getting going. It would be a rough transition if we tried it right now with my more lax style of keeping us on track.
I know that each time we bring in a new kiddo it takes about 2-3 months to get into the new groove. I don't know if 2 more would make it 4-6 months of transitions or just a really intense 2-3 months.
So while I'm rolling it all around in the clutter of my mind, I'm thinking that I really need to be planning to do a massive sort, purge and organize of my home. I need to dig back out my Managers Of Their Homes book and start making some charts, or at the very least taking a realistic inventory of how I'm spending my time.
I'm doing something I do every year, evaluating the education choices of the kids. I like being a homeschool mom. I like being with my kids. They're great kids. But, I'm also a public school grad. There's pros and cons to both choices, but that's the thing, there's a choice to make. Each and every year for each and every kid.
I need to make sure that I'm making the best choices I can for each of the kids.
A lot of it is pretty easy. The physical stuff, diapers, clothes, cars and food. The heart is big enough, the arms wide enough. The intentions great. But a person has to be realistic too. Who will do which chores? Which lessons get taught together? Which activities? Who will be the super sitters able to babysit for 6 and survive? How many therapies and medical appointments can we do each week and still be on an even keel? Do we remodel, expand or move? Just how big a van is that anyway? What will I change to keep myself "fed" personally and spiritually? What things can I afford to let slide and which things should I hire out? What does it look like in 10 years when the kids are 20, 16, 14, 12, 12 & 10? What will it be like to have 3 teen girls at the same time? Potentially in the same room? Just exactly how many loads of dishes and laundry are we talking? Would it be the end of us doing foster care or just a time to take a break?
I could go on and on. See what I mean, there's a whole lot rattling around in there. It means it's time to start making lists, accepting all the wise council that is coming our way. Time to call out all our prayer warriors. Time to expect. Expect that God will give us the real answers we are seeking.
My 2 year old is obsessed with standing on my left foot. It bugs me.
A 6 year old boy will eat 2 slices of toast, a large bowl of cereal with milk for breakfast and then request 2 waffles for dessert.
One of the very greatest moments in life is holding a baby in the moments they are falling asleep.
Thomas The Train is icky. More icky than Barney, Wiggles or Teletubbies. It's up there with Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Ick. Ick. Ick.
Salsa is a great dinner "cure" in a jar. Last night was chicken topped with salsa and cheese baked in the oven. It was served with lettuce, cheese, black olives, the rest of the salsa, chips and ranch dressing. Very versatile. A salad on the side. A giant taco type salad. Easy and tasty.
A 6 year old boy will eat half a bag of salad by himself, along with one chicken thigh and enough chips and salsa to start a restaurant.
On other topics, I'm mulling around the idea of having 6 kids and just what that would look like or more realistically, what I would need to change to do it well.
I know this will shock you, but I'm not all that organized or disciplined.
It's just not my nature. I can learn it and with great amounts of will power I can get better, but it never comes naturally. Every year of my life, I've gotten better at all that organizing and planning and stuff but only after taking the time to consciously decide to do it, make a plan and then have The Mr. hold me accountable to it. Group effort, I guess.
But 6 kids.
That would require a bit more serious effort on my part, at least in the getting going. It would be a rough transition if we tried it right now with my more lax style of keeping us on track.
I know that each time we bring in a new kiddo it takes about 2-3 months to get into the new groove. I don't know if 2 more would make it 4-6 months of transitions or just a really intense 2-3 months.
So while I'm rolling it all around in the clutter of my mind, I'm thinking that I really need to be planning to do a massive sort, purge and organize of my home. I need to dig back out my Managers Of Their Homes book and start making some charts, or at the very least taking a realistic inventory of how I'm spending my time.
I'm doing something I do every year, evaluating the education choices of the kids. I like being a homeschool mom. I like being with my kids. They're great kids. But, I'm also a public school grad. There's pros and cons to both choices, but that's the thing, there's a choice to make. Each and every year for each and every kid.
I need to make sure that I'm making the best choices I can for each of the kids.
A lot of it is pretty easy. The physical stuff, diapers, clothes, cars and food. The heart is big enough, the arms wide enough. The intentions great. But a person has to be realistic too. Who will do which chores? Which lessons get taught together? Which activities? Who will be the super sitters able to babysit for 6 and survive? How many therapies and medical appointments can we do each week and still be on an even keel? Do we remodel, expand or move? Just how big a van is that anyway? What will I change to keep myself "fed" personally and spiritually? What things can I afford to let slide and which things should I hire out? What does it look like in 10 years when the kids are 20, 16, 14, 12, 12 & 10? What will it be like to have 3 teen girls at the same time? Potentially in the same room? Just exactly how many loads of dishes and laundry are we talking? Would it be the end of us doing foster care or just a time to take a break?
I could go on and on. See what I mean, there's a whole lot rattling around in there. It means it's time to start making lists, accepting all the wise council that is coming our way. Time to call out all our prayer warriors. Time to expect. Expect that God will give us the real answers we are seeking.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Recent Discoveries
No history review is complete without multiple Star Wars references.
All Valentine's Day plans must include candy, sweets and the color red.
It is possible to mop the floor twice in one hour.
Bologna and strawberry jam does not make a good sandwich.
Freezer waffles do not go bad because of ice crystals and toasting them until they smoke is not the solution.
Mom does not enjoy eating the previously mentioned waffles.
Glue sticks are not for eating.
Either are markers, pencils, ball point pens, playdoh, soap or dog kibble.
Two year olds induce coffee consumption.
Cheetoes make math easier, but leave orange "evidence" in your workbooks.
The Hot Dog Song is bad.
Organized people loose papers too, not just people like me who organize their papers in large piles on horizontal surfaces.
Glue sticks and playdoh should not be combined even if they are both purple.
Dogs and babies are smart enough to fall asleep in the sun.
40 seems deliriously warm after days and days in the 0 - 20's.
Sippy cups left in the car in January are way better than cups left in the car in August.
Flannel sheets make everyone feel better.
Kids never tire of Popsicles, even in winter.
Popsicles are the best cure for tongue bites and split lips.
Red wash clothes don't show the blood and therefore don't freak out the kids.
Band aids and antibacterial cream should be kept on every floor.
Kids shows with live adult actors are creepy.
If you work at it hard enough, your dog will pee in a cup, but your neighbors will laugh at you, especially if your dog is only 4-6 inches off the ground.
Jello in your bathrobe is bad.
Spiderman does not like getting a peanut butter bath.
All Valentine's Day plans must include candy, sweets and the color red.
It is possible to mop the floor twice in one hour.
Bologna and strawberry jam does not make a good sandwich.
Freezer waffles do not go bad because of ice crystals and toasting them until they smoke is not the solution.
Mom does not enjoy eating the previously mentioned waffles.
Glue sticks are not for eating.
Either are markers, pencils, ball point pens, playdoh, soap or dog kibble.
Two year olds induce coffee consumption.
Cheetoes make math easier, but leave orange "evidence" in your workbooks.
The Hot Dog Song is bad.
Organized people loose papers too, not just people like me who organize their papers in large piles on horizontal surfaces.
Glue sticks and playdoh should not be combined even if they are both purple.
Dogs and babies are smart enough to fall asleep in the sun.
40 seems deliriously warm after days and days in the 0 - 20's.
Sippy cups left in the car in January are way better than cups left in the car in August.
Flannel sheets make everyone feel better.
Kids never tire of Popsicles, even in winter.
Popsicles are the best cure for tongue bites and split lips.
Red wash clothes don't show the blood and therefore don't freak out the kids.
Band aids and antibacterial cream should be kept on every floor.
Kids shows with live adult actors are creepy.
If you work at it hard enough, your dog will pee in a cup, but your neighbors will laugh at you, especially if your dog is only 4-6 inches off the ground.
Jello in your bathrobe is bad.
Spiderman does not like getting a peanut butter bath.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Catching Up
Well, it's been a few days, so I'll catch you up if you haven't been calling, texting, face booking or whatever else with us lately.
Here's how things all played out, in the most discreet, Internet sanitized version I feel I can put out.
As for the last few days, I haven't hit the keys just because I've barely hit standing. Our family was wiped out with the flu. Nasty. That's all I've got to say about that. Icky. And God bless the inventor of products like bleach and Lysol and washing machines.
On to Little Miss. I did have to go to children's court and testify. It was a little on the intense side. I did have to swear so help me God just like on TV and sat next to the judge and directly in front of the birth mom. I was questioned by the Assistant District Attorney, the Guardian Ad Litum, and the Defense Attorney. Basically all the same information and basically all just facts that I could get from my notes. Yes, I have two years worth of notes on Little Miss and her general situation. I was allowed to bring those into court and allowed to use them to answer questions. My testimony took about 30 to 45 minutes.
On Saturday we met with the case worker for Little Miss and learned a lot of the details. We had already learned on Wednesday night that the judge had ruled for Termination of Parental Rights, but we really didn't know much else. What we learned on Saturday is this. There will be another trial, the best interest of the child hearing, on March 24. I will again need to testify. At this hearing it will be determined what will be the best permanent placement for Little Miss and the TPR(termination...) will be finalized. This will be an actual hearing because her placement is being contested, meaning her birth mom would like to see her placed with a family member as opposed to us.
The hearing will go one of two ways. Little Miss will be recommended for permanent placement with a blood relative and we will begin the process of transitioning her from our home to theirs. OR. Little Miss will be recommended to stay with us. From here her birth mom has 30 days to file an appeal of the decision of TPR. The case will then return to the DA and be reviewed. It will either stand as is or be retried.
If there is no appeal filed or the decision upheld after the appeal, then we will be allowed to file for an adoption.
This is all remarkably great news. I'm sure it seems long and confusing and like a never ending process, and in a way it is, but we are so much closer to a "happy" ending, that it is very exciting.
And God is no slouch. He has never failed to drop a bomb in our laps, but on the same hand, never failed to back Himself up either.
This next one, I can't offer a whole lot of details about and it is still very much in the wondering what if stages, but we could really use some prayers here.
The potential exists for doubling our flock of little ones from 3 to 6. We did not pursue this, but have been asked to consider it. Just pray that The Mr. and I would receive remarkable clarity about this situation.
Here's how things all played out, in the most discreet, Internet sanitized version I feel I can put out.
As for the last few days, I haven't hit the keys just because I've barely hit standing. Our family was wiped out with the flu. Nasty. That's all I've got to say about that. Icky. And God bless the inventor of products like bleach and Lysol and washing machines.
On to Little Miss. I did have to go to children's court and testify. It was a little on the intense side. I did have to swear so help me God just like on TV and sat next to the judge and directly in front of the birth mom. I was questioned by the Assistant District Attorney, the Guardian Ad Litum, and the Defense Attorney. Basically all the same information and basically all just facts that I could get from my notes. Yes, I have two years worth of notes on Little Miss and her general situation. I was allowed to bring those into court and allowed to use them to answer questions. My testimony took about 30 to 45 minutes.
On Saturday we met with the case worker for Little Miss and learned a lot of the details. We had already learned on Wednesday night that the judge had ruled for Termination of Parental Rights, but we really didn't know much else. What we learned on Saturday is this. There will be another trial, the best interest of the child hearing, on March 24. I will again need to testify. At this hearing it will be determined what will be the best permanent placement for Little Miss and the TPR(termination...) will be finalized. This will be an actual hearing because her placement is being contested, meaning her birth mom would like to see her placed with a family member as opposed to us.
The hearing will go one of two ways. Little Miss will be recommended for permanent placement with a blood relative and we will begin the process of transitioning her from our home to theirs. OR. Little Miss will be recommended to stay with us. From here her birth mom has 30 days to file an appeal of the decision of TPR. The case will then return to the DA and be reviewed. It will either stand as is or be retried.
If there is no appeal filed or the decision upheld after the appeal, then we will be allowed to file for an adoption.
This is all remarkably great news. I'm sure it seems long and confusing and like a never ending process, and in a way it is, but we are so much closer to a "happy" ending, that it is very exciting.
And God is no slouch. He has never failed to drop a bomb in our laps, but on the same hand, never failed to back Himself up either.
This next one, I can't offer a whole lot of details about and it is still very much in the wondering what if stages, but we could really use some prayers here.
The potential exists for doubling our flock of little ones from 3 to 6. We did not pursue this, but have been asked to consider it. Just pray that The Mr. and I would receive remarkable clarity about this situation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)