I've been gone from here for a while. Life is so crazy busy right now and I am exhausted at the end of most days. I'm going to do a bullet point type post today to update and then I will try to keep this thing updated.
- I am now 31 weeks and 1 day pregnant with Amelia Kathryn. She is doing wonderfully and is growing well. At my appointment last week I was measuring about 2 1/2 weeks ahead. We know she is measuring quite long on ultrasound and have another ultrasound scheduled for July. I am going to the doctor every 2 weeks now and love hearing her heartbeat. That sound never gets old.
- I have my next baby shower this coming Saturday and we are so excited.
- Work is going well but man am I tired at the end of each week. Working nights is always exhausting by the end of the week but now I feel like I could sleep for days come Saturday morning. I go back to work tonight. As of right now I plan on working until I go into labor or my last shift that is scheduled 2 days before my due date. I want all of my time off to be with my sweet girl.
- Jonathan is taking summer school this summer and is taking about 7 hours. He is taking 20 hours in the fall! I'm so proud of how hard he is working to get done. Only 3 more full semesters and he will have his college degree!
- We got to spend the weekend with Destiny and Adrik this weekend. We picked them up on Thursday night and took them home on Sunday. It was so much fun getting to hang out with them for the whole weekend. We realize that we are blessed to still have this relationship with them and to continue to build a relationship with their parents. We went bowling, to the water park, saw Monsters University and hung out at home. We were really busy but had so much fun. I realized today that I didn't take a single picture this weekend but we were so busy enjoying time with them I didn't even think about it.
- My mom came down this weekend also. I loved getting to spend some time with her. We stayed up too late at night and got up too early in the morning but it was nice to sit and talk. On Sunday she helped Jonathan hang the curtain rod in Amelia's room. We also arranged the furniture the way we wanted and put her rug down. Soon I will have her room put together and organized and then I will show it off!
- We paid someone to paint a mural on Amelia's wall recently and I LOVE IT! It is so sweet and I will show it off when I show pictures of her completed room.
- I have made a to do list of things I need to get done before she arrives and last week I was able to cross off a few things. Mostly the ones crossed off are things I am making for her. I still have a few things to sew and hope to work on them this week.
I think that's it. I'll make sure to take pictures of the things I've made for her room and for her and do a post of those soon. I'll also do a combined baby shower post after this weekend.
Showing posts with label foster kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foster kids. Show all posts
Monday, June 24, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Dissapointment Again
J and K are no longer coming to our home. We had been officially chosen for them, however it was not a guarantee. It doesn't mean we didn't get our hopes up that they would be our forever children. Some things came up after we were selected that I can't share but it was decided that our home isn't what is best for them. I pray that they find their forever family and are able to live a life knowing that they are loved and cherished.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Foster to Adopt.....J and K
We have been chosen as the likely foster to adopt parents of J and K. 2 little girls ages 9 and 10. We were one in four families initially and we found out today that our family was picked :) We are super excited about this but still unsure about the process and what is happening next. We will likely drive to where the girls are currently living sometime next week to meet with their CPS caseworker to discuss the girls case as well as possibly meet the girls. Then we will decide when they should come to live with us. Once they are living in our home it will take at least 6 months to be able to adopt them. We are super excited and nervous. Having new children come into your home is always a stressful time. This time feels even a little more stressful because these girls will be our forever children. Please be in prayer for them as they are prepared by their current family to move to a new family, new school, new friends and new city. Please pray for us as we prepare to welcome new children home and prepare ourselves for the very real possibility that by Christmas we will be a forever family.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Bybee Happenings....nothing exciting really
The Bybee family is busy! Jonathan is working hard in school. After this semester he will have approximately 2 more years and then he will graduate with his Bachelor's Degree and will be ready to teach Junior High Science (bless his soul). I have been working a ton since getting out of the hospital, about 10 days in a row so far. It's crazy and I'm tired. Oh well at least I love my job. We will be traveling soon to see my Mom and Sister for their shared birthday and I'm super excited about spending girl time with them. Then it's back to work and back to school until spring break when Jonathan is off but I am working days (usually I work nights). Life will be busy for a while here but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
On the Foster Care/Adoption front we have been chosen as 1 in 4 families for a sibling group of 2 girls that will have their staffing meeting tomorrow (Thursday the 28th). These girls are 9 and 10 years old and are foster to adopt. If you read this today or tomorrow please pray that they are placed in the right family for them. I'm excited and a little nervous. It's been a while since we've welcomed new kids into our home and to think that if they come here they will be permanent kids is amazing and slightly scary all at once. This journey is a roller coaster ride but I love that God has called us to be foster parents and now foster to adopt parents. We will one day be foster parents again but now is not the time for that.
On the Foster Care/Adoption front we have been chosen as 1 in 4 families for a sibling group of 2 girls that will have their staffing meeting tomorrow (Thursday the 28th). These girls are 9 and 10 years old and are foster to adopt. If you read this today or tomorrow please pray that they are placed in the right family for them. I'm excited and a little nervous. It's been a while since we've welcomed new kids into our home and to think that if they come here they will be permanent kids is amazing and slightly scary all at once. This journey is a roller coaster ride but I love that God has called us to be foster parents and now foster to adopt parents. We will one day be foster parents again but now is not the time for that.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Feeling Kind of Sad
Today we are feeling kind of sad. Early in December we submitted our homestudy for a couple of sibling groups that were foster to adopt. We assumed we hadn't been chosen because it had been so long since we had submitted for them. However, we got a phone call on Monday afternoon saying that we had been chosen as one of three families for a sibling group of three and that the case would be staffed today. We have never been chosen as one of the families before and this brought excitement/nervousness. Three kids! Could we really do three kids! The answer was still yes and we moved forward with making a life book to tell about us. Today the children's CPS workers, CASA workers, lawyer, and current foster families had a phone conference with our social worker and the social worker for the other two families that had been chosen. Ultimately our family wasn't chosen for these three little ones. I'm glad that we had the opportunity to follow God's plan and see it play out the way He wants it to, but a saddened that we weren't the family chosen for these three precious children.
We are continuing to submit our homestudy for legal risk or foster to adopt children only. Hopefully one day soon we will have some forever children living in our home.
We are continuing to submit our homestudy for legal risk or foster to adopt children only. Hopefully one day soon we will have some forever children living in our home.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Foster Care Update
I haven't talked about our foster care journey in a while and decided it was time for an update. We haven't had children in our home since October and those were only here for two weeks. We have submitted our homestudy for multiple foster to adopt or legal risk placements in the past few months but weren't the ones chosen for those children. We have decided that for now we are mostly only going to consider foster to adopt or legal risk placements. However if our agency calls with an emergency placement and we feel led by God to accept it we will. We started the foster care journey with the hope to adopt one day. We aren't done with foster care, not by a long shot. We are in a place in our lives where God is leading us to adopt to expend our forever family. We will return to fostering. Fostering emergency placements has been an enormous blessing to us and we will do it again in the future.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Empty Nest.....Again
LT, LN and M left today. They went to live with a family member who was already very involved in their lives. They were very excited to go and I know they will do well. It is so good for them to be with a family member who will love them and take care of them while their mom heals.
Now we will sort through clothes, organizing them back into tubs, so that when we get new kids we will possibly have things on hand for them. We have a few things that we need to get up to date before we take any more kids (as they will expire soon), so we will be working on that and then be open for new children once again.
Thank you for the prayers for LT, LN and M. Please continue to pray for their mom and for them as they adjust to living in another new home.
Now we will sort through clothes, organizing them back into tubs, so that when we get new kids we will possibly have things on hand for them. We have a few things that we need to get up to date before we take any more kids (as they will expire soon), so we will be working on that and then be open for new children once again.
Thank you for the prayers for LT, LN and M. Please continue to pray for their mom and for them as they adjust to living in another new home.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
5 Days In
LT, LN and M have been with us for 5 days now. Tonight was actually the 6th night but since they came Friday night they have really only been here 5 days. A large amount of paperwork has to be done in foster care. Most of which has to be done in the first few days after a placement occurs. The children also have to see a doctor, dentist and therapist within a certain amount of time. All three of ours have now seen the doctor, had their shots updated and had TB tests done. We will set up dental appointments in the next few weeks and go to the therapist next week. I think the children are adjusting. Bedtime is becoming slightly better, although all 3 still cry every night. All of them are in bed and asleep as I am typing this. They are tired little ones.
Obviously I can't share details of their case with you but here is a little more about our new three.
LT is a loving, vibrant, hyper, very talkative 5 year old girl. She has started kindergarten at her new school this week and I think she is enjoying it. We are having to work on her being able to tell us about her day. Right now when we ask her what she learned she isn't able to tell us anything about her day, including what she ate for lunch, so we are working on it. We are also working on learning to sit still and not sing while we are eating. She sings or chants constantly. If this behavior continues in the next few weeks we will have her tested for ADHD. I'm am pretty sure she has it based on how she behaves but I don't think it is fair to label her with this immediately after a huge life changing event has happened to her. I think we need to give her time to adjust to our home, her new school, and new rules before we have her tested. I also don't believe in medicating children unless absolutely necessary. ADHD should be treated with therapy, behavior modification and sometimes medicine.
LN is a sweet, playful, 2 year old girl with beautiful eyes who loves to be a mama to her babies. She calls me Mommy and Jonathan Daddy. In the last few days she has decided that she likes to sit in my lap and cuddle during the day, which I don't mind one bit. She is a normal 2 year old who has trouble sharing and is LOUD most of the day but is usually sweet to her little brother (unless he's trying to take her toys). She looks up to LT and tries to do everything she does.
M is a chunky, cuddly, sweet little 14 month old boy who hates to sleep and loves milk. When he is happy he has the most infectious laugh. He loves to mimic the sounds we make. He loves to eat and hates to be hungry. He wakes up anywhere from 2-5 times a night and gets very angry when his cup only has water in it.
I can't wait to watch these little ones flourish and grow. I don't know how long they will be here, maybe only 2 weeks, maybe 2 months, maybe a year, but we will love and take care of them until it is their time to leave.
Obviously I can't share details of their case with you but here is a little more about our new three.
LT is a loving, vibrant, hyper, very talkative 5 year old girl. She has started kindergarten at her new school this week and I think she is enjoying it. We are having to work on her being able to tell us about her day. Right now when we ask her what she learned she isn't able to tell us anything about her day, including what she ate for lunch, so we are working on it. We are also working on learning to sit still and not sing while we are eating. She sings or chants constantly. If this behavior continues in the next few weeks we will have her tested for ADHD. I'm am pretty sure she has it based on how she behaves but I don't think it is fair to label her with this immediately after a huge life changing event has happened to her. I think we need to give her time to adjust to our home, her new school, and new rules before we have her tested. I also don't believe in medicating children unless absolutely necessary. ADHD should be treated with therapy, behavior modification and sometimes medicine.
LN is a sweet, playful, 2 year old girl with beautiful eyes who loves to be a mama to her babies. She calls me Mommy and Jonathan Daddy. In the last few days she has decided that she likes to sit in my lap and cuddle during the day, which I don't mind one bit. She is a normal 2 year old who has trouble sharing and is LOUD most of the day but is usually sweet to her little brother (unless he's trying to take her toys). She looks up to LT and tries to do everything she does.
M is a chunky, cuddly, sweet little 14 month old boy who hates to sleep and loves milk. When he is happy he has the most infectious laugh. He loves to mimic the sounds we make. He loves to eat and hates to be hungry. He wakes up anywhere from 2-5 times a night and gets very angry when his cup only has water in it.
I can't wait to watch these little ones flourish and grow. I don't know how long they will be here, maybe only 2 weeks, maybe 2 months, maybe a year, but we will love and take care of them until it is their time to leave.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Back in The Saddle Again
As of last night at about 6:30pm we have noise in our home again. Lots of noise. So let me introduce you to our new little ones. LT is a 5 year old girl, LN is a 2 yr old girl and M is a 14 month old boy. They are adorable. These 3 have been a challenge. I don't know if it's because we haven't had a new placement in a while or if they are just more unruly than the others. I do know that with time, love and some structure things will get better. It breaks my heart to hear LT screaming at bed time because she is scared. Tonight we tried to ask her what she was scared of and she said the dark and having the door closed. She had 2 night lights in her room and the door was open. She finally stopped crying about 30 minutes later. M is the best about going to bed out of the 3. LN cries but only for a few minutes. I hate to imagine what has happened to LT in the dark with her door closed. I hate to imagine what these 3 little ones have seen and how they have been treated. I pray that we are able to love them the way that they need to be loved and to provide for them the way they need to be provided for. I pray that God works on healing their family and their little hearts. We've done this before and I know we can do it again. I know that things will get easier as time goes by and that everyone will become more comfortable here. Please join me in praying for these little ones and for us as we parent them.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
A Truly Wonderful Weekend
We had a wonderful weekend. I'm talking a smiling, laughing, repeatedly saying I'm Blessed kind of weekend. It started with dinner with some good friends and their two great kids on Friday night. We hung out for a long time (thanks y'all for having us over), ate good food and enjoyed being around each other. Late Friday night my parents got into town. We stayed up late talking and then went to bed to start an early day on Saturday. Saturday we were up bright and early to start painting (yay/boo). Yay because it was finally going to be done. Boo because I hate the detail work of painting and that is what was left. This is the reason my parents came down, so my mom could help me paint. She started on the hallway doors (all 6 of them) while I started on window sills in the living room and baseboards. I also taped and painted the picture frame molding. We painted 4 more doors (10 total) and all the baseboards. Then we had to call it a day!
Why, you may ask? We were going to meet D and A (now known as Destiny and Adrik)!!!!! I couldn't wait to see them. I hadn't seen their sweet faces or given them hugs in what seemed like ages (even though it was only about 10 weeks). They were running late but I didn't care. When they got to where we were meeting Adrik was initially hesitant to go with us. His parents then drove him to the bowling alley and his mom came in for a few minutes and then snuck off so he wouldn't get upset. He ended up having a great time with lots of belly laughs and silly 3 year old boy antics. Destiny was so so happy to see us. We had such a good time bowling together and playing arcade games. We met my parents at Chili's for dinner where the smiles and laughter continued. I honestly can't say how many times I thanked God for those moments. It was so good to see them doing well and to be able to love on them again. The evening came to a close too soon, just like it always does when you are having fun, and we had to say goodbye. Destiny wanted to come home with us but she couldn't this time. We are making plans to see them again soon. This time hopefully they will stay with us for about 24 hours. I am so so so glad that their parents are allowing us to spend time with them. I love those sweet children. Here are some pictures of them so you can see how beautiful they are (since they aren't in care anymore and I have permission from their mom).
Sunday was more painting. This time I climbed up and down the ladder about five billion times to paint the crown molding. We touched up a few areas and it looks AWESOME. My mom, and sometimes Jonathan, helped me with a photo hanging project (she's awesome at hanging things on the wall). I will post a before and after post soon. I need to finish up the picture project before I share. Hopefully I'll be done with it tomorrow :) I also helped my mom make laundry soap. I've been making my own soap for almost a year and she wanted to learn how. Tonight, Jonathan and I went on a date to the movie. We saw "The Odd Life of Timothy Green". I highly recommend it. It was heartwarming and funny. A good family movie.
Why, you may ask? We were going to meet D and A (now known as Destiny and Adrik)!!!!! I couldn't wait to see them. I hadn't seen their sweet faces or given them hugs in what seemed like ages (even though it was only about 10 weeks). They were running late but I didn't care. When they got to where we were meeting Adrik was initially hesitant to go with us. His parents then drove him to the bowling alley and his mom came in for a few minutes and then snuck off so he wouldn't get upset. He ended up having a great time with lots of belly laughs and silly 3 year old boy antics. Destiny was so so happy to see us. We had such a good time bowling together and playing arcade games. We met my parents at Chili's for dinner where the smiles and laughter continued. I honestly can't say how many times I thanked God for those moments. It was so good to see them doing well and to be able to love on them again. The evening came to a close too soon, just like it always does when you are having fun, and we had to say goodbye. Destiny wanted to come home with us but she couldn't this time. We are making plans to see them again soon. This time hopefully they will stay with us for about 24 hours. I am so so so glad that their parents are allowing us to spend time with them. I love those sweet children. Here are some pictures of them so you can see how beautiful they are (since they aren't in care anymore and I have permission from their mom).
Sunday was more painting. This time I climbed up and down the ladder about five billion times to paint the crown molding. We touched up a few areas and it looks AWESOME. My mom, and sometimes Jonathan, helped me with a photo hanging project (she's awesome at hanging things on the wall). I will post a before and after post soon. I need to finish up the picture project before I share. Hopefully I'll be done with it tomorrow :) I also helped my mom make laundry soap. I've been making my own soap for almost a year and she wanted to learn how. Tonight, Jonathan and I went on a date to the movie. We saw "The Odd Life of Timothy Green". I highly recommend it. It was heartwarming and funny. A good family movie.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A Busy Day And A Busy Weekend Ahead
I have a great deal of sewing to do in the next few days/week. My donations have been accepted into a local hospital and are pending in 2 more local hospitals. I can't wait to personally deliver the first donation. I spoke to the bereavement coordinator and she was so sweet and so thankful. I truly hope that families are blessed and a small piece of their pain is soothed with our gifts. As Jonathan and I were buying what seemed like reams of fabric today a lady next to us at the cutting counter asked what all the baby fabric was for. I showed her a diaper, hat and blanket and explained what they were for. She ooohed and ahhhed over them and then asked me for a business card. Me, a business card, haha. So instead I wrote down my name and email address for her. She owns a crafting business and is willing to donate fabric and possibly already made items. The lady cutting our fabric overheard the conversation and came to find us while we were looking at scissors to tell us how to get some of the fabric for cheaper. Blessings from God for sure. If anyone who reads this blog is interested in donated made items, fabric, money for fabric and stuff please e-mail me and I will be happy to tell you how you can help (kristybybee(at)mac(dot)com). If you can't help I understand but please be praying for this endeavor. I am in the process of setting up a sewing weekend to gather the troops for free labor :)
I'm looking forward to my busy weekend ahead. My parents are coming into town on Friday evening. My mom will be helping me to paint the trim and doors and hopefully finish off the painting and re-hanging of pictures. Saturday afternoon we will also see D and A for the first time since June 1. We talked to D on the phone yesterday and she is so excited to see us. A is still a little confused but that is ok. I can't wait to see their faces and hug them tightly. I'm so glad that their mom recognizes how much they mean to us and how much we mean to them and is willing to allow us to continue our relationship.
I'm looking forward to my busy weekend ahead. My parents are coming into town on Friday evening. My mom will be helping me to paint the trim and doors and hopefully finish off the painting and re-hanging of pictures. Saturday afternoon we will also see D and A for the first time since June 1. We talked to D on the phone yesterday and she is so excited to see us. A is still a little confused but that is ok. I can't wait to see their faces and hug them tightly. I'm so glad that their mom recognizes how much they mean to us and how much we mean to them and is willing to allow us to continue our relationship.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Bybee Happenings
We really enjoyed our trip to Kansas City. It was nice to get away and spend time together and seeing friends. Jonathan starts back to school in a week, which he is excited about. I love that he is excited about school. Have I mentioned how proud of him I am. Well, it's a bunch!
Since coming home I have worked a few shifts and sewn some baby presents. I also helped host my best friend's baby shower. I wasn't sure how I would handle it emotionally but knew I needed to do it. When she told me she was pregnant early this year I was so excited I was jumping up and down. Being pregnant together was so much fun. We started talking about hosting each others showers almost immediately. Then, I lost Grant and she stood by my side. I know that it was scary for her to be only weeks behind me and know that life is so vulnerable. She has been the best friend I could have asked for. I worried that since Grant died and I was mourning the loss of my son that I would have trouble still being a good friend to her since she was still pregnant. I worried that it would hurt too badly to watch her pregnant belly grow while mine didn't any more. However, I made myself face it and talk about her pregnancy and I'm glad I did. I'm just as excited for her now as I was earlier this year and I can't wait to meet her sweet baby girl. When it came time to have her shower I decided I needed to help host it. I knew that it would be really hard but that it is what a friend does. I'm so glad I chose to do so. I had fun helping to make decorations, making her present, and watching my husband (yes my husband) pick out her shower cake. I did have to swallow back a few tears yesterday but I made it through without crying and truly enjoyed most of the day. I call that success!
We are also officially listed with our agency to take foster kids again. I don't want children to need care but I can't wait to have my house full of laughter, and a few fits, again. Hopefully this coming weekend we can finish painting the living room and hanging the pictures and I can show it off!
Since coming home I have worked a few shifts and sewn some baby presents. I also helped host my best friend's baby shower. I wasn't sure how I would handle it emotionally but knew I needed to do it. When she told me she was pregnant early this year I was so excited I was jumping up and down. Being pregnant together was so much fun. We started talking about hosting each others showers almost immediately. Then, I lost Grant and she stood by my side. I know that it was scary for her to be only weeks behind me and know that life is so vulnerable. She has been the best friend I could have asked for. I worried that since Grant died and I was mourning the loss of my son that I would have trouble still being a good friend to her since she was still pregnant. I worried that it would hurt too badly to watch her pregnant belly grow while mine didn't any more. However, I made myself face it and talk about her pregnancy and I'm glad I did. I'm just as excited for her now as I was earlier this year and I can't wait to meet her sweet baby girl. When it came time to have her shower I decided I needed to help host it. I knew that it would be really hard but that it is what a friend does. I'm so glad I chose to do so. I had fun helping to make decorations, making her present, and watching my husband (yes my husband) pick out her shower cake. I did have to swallow back a few tears yesterday but I made it through without crying and truly enjoyed most of the day. I call that success!
We are also officially listed with our agency to take foster kids again. I don't want children to need care but I can't wait to have my house full of laughter, and a few fits, again. Hopefully this coming weekend we can finish painting the living room and hanging the pictures and I can show it off!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thankful Thursday #4
Here is my Thankful Thursday for this week. I missed last week because we were spending time with D and A before they were scheduled to leave on Friday so this week will include stuff from last week also.
1. I'm thankful that we got to go to the Ranger game last Wednesday with D, A, Andrea and some of my family. The kids had so much fun and to see the amazement in their eyes was beautiful.
2. I'm thankful that D called me on Friday after they left and arrived at their biological parents house. She called to "let me know they were home" but I think it was more because she was missing us. I'm glad that her mom will allow her to call us.
3. I'm thankful for my job. Last week was my first week back and it went better than I had expected. Some cases were more difficult for me to deal with than normal but I think I handled it pretty well. I love my job and am glad to be back at work.
4. I'm thankful for my husband. Jonathan and I have been married for 6 years now and I am so thankful to have such a loving, supportive husband. I couldn't do life without him.
5. I'm thankful for the chance to be on the bereavement committee at the children's hospital where I work. This is all because of Grant. I was asked to be on the committee as a parent who has lost a child and I can also speak from a physician's perspective. I am so glad to be able to help make other parent's experiences better, even though the situation totally sucks. I have to say my experience at our hospital was wonderful but if we can help even 1 family it will totally be worth it.
1. I'm thankful that we got to go to the Ranger game last Wednesday with D, A, Andrea and some of my family. The kids had so much fun and to see the amazement in their eyes was beautiful.
2. I'm thankful that D called me on Friday after they left and arrived at their biological parents house. She called to "let me know they were home" but I think it was more because she was missing us. I'm glad that her mom will allow her to call us.
3. I'm thankful for my job. Last week was my first week back and it went better than I had expected. Some cases were more difficult for me to deal with than normal but I think I handled it pretty well. I love my job and am glad to be back at work.
4. I'm thankful for my husband. Jonathan and I have been married for 6 years now and I am so thankful to have such a loving, supportive husband. I couldn't do life without him.
5. I'm thankful for the chance to be on the bereavement committee at the children's hospital where I work. This is all because of Grant. I was asked to be on the committee as a parent who has lost a child and I can also speak from a physician's perspective. I am so glad to be able to help make other parent's experiences better, even though the situation totally sucks. I have to say my experience at our hospital was wonderful but if we can help even 1 family it will totally be worth it.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Saying Goodbye Yet Again
Today we had to say goodbye yet again. D and A returned to live with their biological parents. I have now said goodbye to 8 different foster children and 1 biological child in less than 18 months. D and A lived with us for the longest (13 of those 17 months). Since they lived with us the longest they also acquired the most stuff. They each had 2 birthdays and 1 Christmas while living here.
We knew that they were going back today so we planned some fun things for this week. Tuesday night we had friends over and the kids had a blast playing together. I know D will miss her friend Emma. We all went to bed late (well they did, I went to work). Wednesday when D got out of school we headed to Arlington to go to the Texas Rangers game. My Rangers got their tails kicked but the looks on the kids faces and hearing them talk about it made it completely worth it. We spent the night in Arlington that night and headed home yesterday. Yesterday evening we spent the evening at the pool and had pizza and cookies. The kids had so much fun swimming and A was becoming so confident and even jumping into the big pool. We also packed most of their belongings yesterday evening. Last night we made a pallet in the living room floor and let them sleep in there and watch TV until way too late :) Today we went to lunch, bought a new Wii game for D to play and finished packing their things. We spent lots of time wrestling on the floor, giggling, and enjoying time together.
CPS showed up at 4:30 and within 15 min their belongings were packed in the car, we had kissed them goodbye and they were gone. These two children have made us better parents and better people. They have blessed ours and our family and friends lives. They are beautiful little people and I love them! I pray that they are able to stay together as a healthy family and the children won't be hurt again. I'm not 100% or even 75% sure that will happen but I must trust God and his plan. D and A's mom does want us to continue to have some contact with the kids. We are hoping to spend some time with them once every month-6 weeks. This was a shocking thing to us because before Wednesday the mom wouldn't even hardly talk to us and looked at us like we were evil. Please join us in praying for their family that they can stay together, safe and loved. My heart is heavy and I am tired of saying goodbye.
We knew that they were going back today so we planned some fun things for this week. Tuesday night we had friends over and the kids had a blast playing together. I know D will miss her friend Emma. We all went to bed late (well they did, I went to work). Wednesday when D got out of school we headed to Arlington to go to the Texas Rangers game. My Rangers got their tails kicked but the looks on the kids faces and hearing them talk about it made it completely worth it. We spent the night in Arlington that night and headed home yesterday. Yesterday evening we spent the evening at the pool and had pizza and cookies. The kids had so much fun swimming and A was becoming so confident and even jumping into the big pool. We also packed most of their belongings yesterday evening. Last night we made a pallet in the living room floor and let them sleep in there and watch TV until way too late :) Today we went to lunch, bought a new Wii game for D to play and finished packing their things. We spent lots of time wrestling on the floor, giggling, and enjoying time together.
CPS showed up at 4:30 and within 15 min their belongings were packed in the car, we had kissed them goodbye and they were gone. These two children have made us better parents and better people. They have blessed ours and our family and friends lives. They are beautiful little people and I love them! I pray that they are able to stay together as a healthy family and the children won't be hurt again. I'm not 100% or even 75% sure that will happen but I must trust God and his plan. D and A's mom does want us to continue to have some contact with the kids. We are hoping to spend some time with them once every month-6 weeks. This was a shocking thing to us because before Wednesday the mom wouldn't even hardly talk to us and looked at us like we were evil. Please join us in praying for their family that they can stay together, safe and loved. My heart is heavy and I am tired of saying goodbye.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Way to Go D!!!
Today was D's end of year awards assembly for the 1st grade. Earlier this year she received an award for the character trait "responsibility" and she also was chosen good citizen for a 6 week period. Today however was the last of the awards. We were super surprised (no one told us she was getting another award and we didn't think she could get 2 in a year) and super proud when she was chosen to receive the award for the character trait of "Citizenship". She also received an AB honor roll award as well as a certificate for her good citizen award she got earlier in the year.
D,
JaJa and I are so incredibly proud of you. We are so blessed to call you ours, even if it's only been for 13 months of your life and we soon will say goodbye. You have come such a long way in just a year. You went from a first grader that could barely read to making the AB honor roll, with your only B being an 88 in math one time. It makes us so proud that others recognize how sweet you are and that you show it when you are with others. Here is what your teacher said about you: "D has been a model citizen all year. She has developed into a kind and respected leader. She is a great role model to others. She is dependable and hardworking. D is caring and accepting of others. She is always willing to lend a hand to a friend in need. She has been such a blessing to our class and we are lucky to know her." We completely agree with every word that she said about you. D, you are a blessing and a joy. We love you sweet girl!
D,
JaJa and I are so incredibly proud of you. We are so blessed to call you ours, even if it's only been for 13 months of your life and we soon will say goodbye. You have come such a long way in just a year. You went from a first grader that could barely read to making the AB honor roll, with your only B being an 88 in math one time. It makes us so proud that others recognize how sweet you are and that you show it when you are with others. Here is what your teacher said about you: "D has been a model citizen all year. She has developed into a kind and respected leader. She is a great role model to others. She is dependable and hardworking. D is caring and accepting of others. She is always willing to lend a hand to a friend in need. She has been such a blessing to our class and we are lucky to know her." We completely agree with every word that she said about you. D, you are a blessing and a joy. We love you sweet girl!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Update on D and A
D and A are wonderful as usual. It was so much fun to come home on Thursday and surprise them. My parents had taken them to the splash park to play and have a picnic so we surprised them there. The smile on their faces as they ran to us was so sweet, melt your heart sweet. We let them stay up a little later than normal that night so that they could spend some time with us. D made me this really cute book out of paper bags at school for mother's day. On the front of each page (paper bag) was a saying about what she could do by herself. Inside each bag was something that she needed help with from me. A made me a picture frame with a cut poem on it and a picture of him. They were so excited to give me their presents, once again, precious. They had a blast with my parents, Nana and Pawpaw. D's first question after telling us hi was "Does Nana HAVE to leave tomorrow?" Friday evening we had to drive them to meet their biological parents for their 48 hour visit. We have been doing 48 hour visits for about 6 weeks and had done 24 hour visits for 4 weeks before that. Every time we turn down the road that we meet their parents on A gets really quiet and upset. Sometimes he tells us he doesn't want to go. Friday was one of those days. He wouldn't talk or laugh, so not him, and when we asked if he wanted to go see Mommy and Daddy he whispered "no". When we got out of the car and I got him out of his seat he had tears streaming down his face and he became my little spider monkey. I had to pry him off to hand him to his mom. It breaks my heart that he doesn't want to go there but he has to. D also gets really anxious and nervous when it is time for visits. She says she wants to go but her face and actions say differently. We have tried to explain this to our case worker before as a concern, but she doesn't seem to think anything of it. It worries me that after over 3 months of this they still don't want to go to their visits, something seems not right. D is a smart little girl. She knows if she says that something is happening she won't get to go home and her loyalties are with her biological family. This makes her say things are fine or even going well, but once again her face and actions tell us otherwise. We are working with her on being honest, even when it is hard. She has also come home and told us some things that make us really concerned but when we told her case worker nothing really was done about it. The kids lawyer is trying to help.
I'm sorry if I sound whiny. We knew going into foster care that the goal is reunification. I agree with this goal sometimes, but sometimes it isn't what is best for the children. We will miss D and A terribly when they leave in 2 weeks. However, I'm really worried about them going home. Things don't seem right and I'm afraid they are going to get hurt again. Removing them from their biological parents again when something goes wrong is going to devastate them. I've tried giving them the benefit of the doubt but when an 8 year old comes home saying the things she has said it makes me worried for her.
All we can do is hand them over to God and trust in him. We have 2 weeks left with them. We go back to court to discuss reunification on May 30 and currently they are scheduled to go home on June 1. I plan on enjoying every minute with them over the next two weeks. Their last day of daycare was Friday so that we can spend more time with them. There are zoo trips and afternoons at the pool already planned. We even plan on going to a Rangers game on the last day of school for D.
Please join us in praying for them. Please pray that God will protect them and place them right where they need to be. Please pray for our hearts as we prepare to say goodbye to our other 2 children. Thank you.
I'm sorry if I sound whiny. We knew going into foster care that the goal is reunification. I agree with this goal sometimes, but sometimes it isn't what is best for the children. We will miss D and A terribly when they leave in 2 weeks. However, I'm really worried about them going home. Things don't seem right and I'm afraid they are going to get hurt again. Removing them from their biological parents again when something goes wrong is going to devastate them. I've tried giving them the benefit of the doubt but when an 8 year old comes home saying the things she has said it makes me worried for her.
All we can do is hand them over to God and trust in him. We have 2 weeks left with them. We go back to court to discuss reunification on May 30 and currently they are scheduled to go home on June 1. I plan on enjoying every minute with them over the next two weeks. Their last day of daycare was Friday so that we can spend more time with them. There are zoo trips and afternoons at the pool already planned. We even plan on going to a Rangers game on the last day of school for D.
Please join us in praying for them. Please pray that God will protect them and place them right where they need to be. Please pray for our hearts as we prepare to say goodbye to our other 2 children. Thank you.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Don't belong
Sometimes I feel so out of place. Like I dont belong anywhere. I see moms with their toddlers and think "I have a 3yr old" but then I think "but I dont get to keep him, I have to give him back even though most involved don't think it's what is best". I see people who are pregnant and think "I was just pregnant, still should be but instead my baby lives in heaven now." I wonder if these strangers can see the pain behind my smile or if to them I am just a lady smiling and waving hi to their child. I look around and wonder, are any of these people like me? Or are they all blissfully unaware of the tragedy of losing their child?
When we found out we were pregnant with Grant we both said that Gods timing was perfect. We knew our foster kids would be leaving, most likely at the end of April, and we knew how hard that was going to be. We both said that God gave us Grant so we would have a child we could keep and have something to look forward to in our sadness of losing D and A. Apparently we were wrong. I'm not sure what Gods plans are but I know that He works things for His good for those who love Him.
Early in my pregnancy with Grant I had some bleeding. I was told this was normal but it still scared me. I remember praying then that Grant was my baby but that he wasn't really mine, God was letting me have him for a time to raise him but that he was actually Gods and I told God then exactly that. I recognized that God was just "loaning" Grant to us. When I told God that I understood this and that Grant was His I didn't really think that I would have to give Grant back so soon. I don't know if I would have so willingly said to God that he could have Grant if I knew what I know now. Maybe that is part of the plan. I was learning then to put my complete trust in God like I never had before. I was giving Him one of the most important people in my life. God didn't take Grant from us. I don't think God did this to us. I do think that God knew it was going to happen. Bad things happen, they have since the fall of man and will continue to until Christ returns. The beauty of it is that God will work the bad things together into something beautiful if we continue to follow and trust in him. Our story isn't over yet. I have no idea what the next chapter says and honestly that terrifies me, but I know there is another chapter and I know that by the end of the story beautiful things will have come of this tragedy.
I still feel like I don't belong. Like I'm walking around in a world that I don't really fit in to. I look at people and wonder if they know grief like I do and hope that they don't. I'm part of a "club" that no one should be a part of and I feel like these women are the only ones that truly understand what I'm saying.
When we found out we were pregnant with Grant we both said that Gods timing was perfect. We knew our foster kids would be leaving, most likely at the end of April, and we knew how hard that was going to be. We both said that God gave us Grant so we would have a child we could keep and have something to look forward to in our sadness of losing D and A. Apparently we were wrong. I'm not sure what Gods plans are but I know that He works things for His good for those who love Him.
Early in my pregnancy with Grant I had some bleeding. I was told this was normal but it still scared me. I remember praying then that Grant was my baby but that he wasn't really mine, God was letting me have him for a time to raise him but that he was actually Gods and I told God then exactly that. I recognized that God was just "loaning" Grant to us. When I told God that I understood this and that Grant was His I didn't really think that I would have to give Grant back so soon. I don't know if I would have so willingly said to God that he could have Grant if I knew what I know now. Maybe that is part of the plan. I was learning then to put my complete trust in God like I never had before. I was giving Him one of the most important people in my life. God didn't take Grant from us. I don't think God did this to us. I do think that God knew it was going to happen. Bad things happen, they have since the fall of man and will continue to until Christ returns. The beauty of it is that God will work the bad things together into something beautiful if we continue to follow and trust in him. Our story isn't over yet. I have no idea what the next chapter says and honestly that terrifies me, but I know there is another chapter and I know that by the end of the story beautiful things will have come of this tragedy.
I still feel like I don't belong. Like I'm walking around in a world that I don't really fit in to. I look at people and wonder if they know grief like I do and hope that they don't. I'm part of a "club" that no one should be a part of and I feel like these women are the only ones that truly understand what I'm saying.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A is 3!
Today, May 6, 2012, A is 3! He has lived here with his big sister D for 373 days and I have loved every day of it. Last year we shared his birthday with D because they arrived so close to their birthdays we didn't have time to have separate parties. Not this year! D's party is over and now it is time for the spotlight to shift to A! We had a pool party for him on Friday. Yes it was only May 4 and we had a pool party, oh the joys of living in central Texas. The weather was sunny and hot and the pool felt wonderful. A asked for monkey cupcakes, so monkey cupcakes he got. We also took sugar cookies to his school on Friday so he could share with his friends. The pool party was small with some close family and friends since we had to do it on a Friday night because of his family visits on the weekends. I wish we could have had a party on Saturday so we could invite his friends from school, but oh well, it was a lot of fun and he loved it (the only thing that really matters). He was one tired little boy when we drove him to meet his biological parents late Friday night for his weekend visit.
A,
You are the sweetest, silliest little boy I have ever met. You are seriously the best toddler I have ever seen. Your smile lights up a room and is so contagious. People tell us all the time how beautiful you smile is. I think it is because when you smile your whole face lights up and smiles, not just your mouth. You are all boy! You love to play soccer, play in the dirt, look at motorcycles, firetrucks, monkeys and bathroom noises :). I absolutely love to hear you talk. When you first came here you could say 2 words and bark like a dog, now you speak in whole sentences, tell us about everything (even things from a few months ago), name all of your colors, and make your opinion known. I love how when we ask you "are you Kristy's or JaJa's?" you answer differently almost every time, although I think JaJa is really your favorite. You try so hard to be just like JaJa and it is absolutely precious. You adore your big sister and follow her everywhere, even when she doesn't want you to. I pray that you keep your joy for life as you grow up and that my sweet little boy grows up into a sweet young man. A, you make us smile everyday and we love you so much.
Here are some pictures of the goodies from the week. Again, I so wish I could show you pictures of him. The look on his face as he was opening his presents was wonderful.
A,
You are the sweetest, silliest little boy I have ever met. You are seriously the best toddler I have ever seen. Your smile lights up a room and is so contagious. People tell us all the time how beautiful you smile is. I think it is because when you smile your whole face lights up and smiles, not just your mouth. You are all boy! You love to play soccer, play in the dirt, look at motorcycles, firetrucks, monkeys and bathroom noises :). I absolutely love to hear you talk. When you first came here you could say 2 words and bark like a dog, now you speak in whole sentences, tell us about everything (even things from a few months ago), name all of your colors, and make your opinion known. I love how when we ask you "are you Kristy's or JaJa's?" you answer differently almost every time, although I think JaJa is really your favorite. You try so hard to be just like JaJa and it is absolutely precious. You adore your big sister and follow her everywhere, even when she doesn't want you to. I pray that you keep your joy for life as you grow up and that my sweet little boy grows up into a sweet young man. A, you make us smile everyday and we love you so much.
Here are some pictures of the goodies from the week. Again, I so wish I could show you pictures of him. The look on his face as he was opening his presents was wonderful.
Animal Cookies for School
Monkey Cupcakes!!
I love you my little monkey!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A Conversation With A
Sometimes on the way to take A to school we have to pass the Harley Davidson Dealership. A loves motorcycles. Here is our conversation from a few days ago.
A: MOTORCYCLE!
Me: yeah, motorcycles
A: I ride motorcycle with JaJa (for the record, we don't ride motorcycles). I not fall down. I put helmet on, cars helmet
Me: Your going to ride a motorcycle?
A: yeah, with JaJa
Me: Ok
A: I want the......orange one
Me: really (now laughing)
A: D wants the.........(with hand by his mouth really thinking) RED ONE
Me: Ok (Laughing harder)
You little man are hilarious.
Apparently a few days later A said he wanted a green one. Guess what he's getting for his birthday, yep, a toy motorcycle!
A: MOTORCYCLE!
Me: yeah, motorcycles
A: I ride motorcycle with JaJa (for the record, we don't ride motorcycles). I not fall down. I put helmet on, cars helmet
Me: Your going to ride a motorcycle?
A: yeah, with JaJa
Me: Ok
A: I want the......orange one
Me: really (now laughing)
A: D wants the.........(with hand by his mouth really thinking) RED ONE
Me: Ok (Laughing harder)
You little man are hilarious.
Apparently a few days later A said he wanted a green one. Guess what he's getting for his birthday, yep, a toy motorcycle!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
A Birthday Surprise
We had given D a choice between going out to eat on her birthday or having a birthday surprise on Friday. She obviously chose the surprise. We did have dinner of her choice on Thursday with some friends at our house. Jonathan grilled chicken, sausage and corn on the cob and it was delicious. Friday we picked D up from school at her lunch time for her surprise. Here is the conversation her teacher said they had.
Teacher: D, get your bag and head to the office, they are here to get you
D: What? (With confused look)
Teacher: They are here to get you.
D: What? (Still confused).....(now excited) The Surprise! Surprise! (jumping up and down)
When D came around the corner and saw me waiting at the front of the school she ran up to me and jumped in my arms with the biggest smile on her face! It was priceless. She was so excited to leave school early for her surprise. We took her to lunch and to the movies before we had to take her to her family visit. She had fun and was sure to tell me that she had a good birthday.
Here is an update for D and A.
We are in the process of transitioning them back to their parents. We have been in this pattern for a few months now with extending unsupervised visits. They are now doing 48 hour unsupervised weekend visits. We drop them off Friday night and pick them up Sunday Night. The kids do pretty well with the transitioning to and from the visits. A gets upset sometimes, especially if he is overly tired, but most of the time they transition pretty well. The current plan is to have them reunited on June 1. We still have some concerns about them returning home and hopefully CPS is concerned about them too. All we can do is pray for them, make our concerns known, and pray some more.
A's birthday is next week! I love birthdays!
Teacher: D, get your bag and head to the office, they are here to get you
D: What? (With confused look)
Teacher: They are here to get you.
D: What? (Still confused).....(now excited) The Surprise! Surprise! (jumping up and down)
When D came around the corner and saw me waiting at the front of the school she ran up to me and jumped in my arms with the biggest smile on her face! It was priceless. She was so excited to leave school early for her surprise. We took her to lunch and to the movies before we had to take her to her family visit. She had fun and was sure to tell me that she had a good birthday.
Here is an update for D and A.
We are in the process of transitioning them back to their parents. We have been in this pattern for a few months now with extending unsupervised visits. They are now doing 48 hour unsupervised weekend visits. We drop them off Friday night and pick them up Sunday Night. The kids do pretty well with the transitioning to and from the visits. A gets upset sometimes, especially if he is overly tired, but most of the time they transition pretty well. The current plan is to have them reunited on June 1. We still have some concerns about them returning home and hopefully CPS is concerned about them too. All we can do is pray for them, make our concerns known, and pray some more.
A's birthday is next week! I love birthdays!
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