Foster Care Update : February 2021

Well friends it finally happened…

I got the call and about 2 hours later my first 3 kids were arriving. And y’all – I was signed up for kids 4-10 and was given 9, 13, and 15. Insert big eyes here. Going from living alone to a household of four was jarring but completely welcome. I wasn’t ready to navigate teenhood, but really who is, and I am up for a challenge.

When they were placed in my home, it was assumed that it would be for a week or so until their circumstances changed. But sometimes life hands you rotten lemons and there is nothing  you can do but plant a new tree. So they are staying until the end of the school year until question marks can be taken care of. Shocked? Yes. But I love that nothing has to change for them at a time when all they’ve had is change after change.

Oh the new experiences I’m having… I burn candles at dinner time and we were all in Bath & Body Works together finding some fresh scents, when – CRASH. Slippery 9 year old fingers have a hard time holding big candles. Oh the things I am learning. I’ve also lost a wine glass to slippery fingers and a glass lamp to putting on a coat. Oh, and those felt boxes that fit in square shelves – they were used as seats during imaginative play and they will never look the same again. As for the two teens. Let’s just say it’s an amazing rollercoaster.

I have the best community and village. There have been some bumps and unexpected moments in my foster journey so far but I have always had someone by my side for everything. People are constantly asking how they can support us and we are always instantly provided for. I’m so grateful for a circle of friends who care as much for these kids as I do.

I can’t share photos of the kids – every county is different and Washington county is particularly strict on this rule, but I got the ok to share photos of hands and feet and there is no rule against what photos I share that the kids take, so above is a photo of the 9 year old and his best friend – Claire. He comes home from school every day and bee lines it to the pups saying “I missed youuuuu!” in his squeaky excited voice. Over Christmas break, we had a morning where the sun was coming in just right (and of course I had to quick grab my camera for the cutest photo ever that I can’t share) and he decided it was only ok for me to take photos of him if he also got to take photos of me – so enjoy this little photo below from a lazy school-less morning at the breakfast table back in January. He’s a natural photographer : )

Friends, for the first time I have a lot of unread messages and I am taking a break from social media at the moment (which I highly recommend for everyone) and life has even deeper purpose. Just know if you are reading this – I am juggling three more schedules and sharing my time with three amazing kids and I’m doing my best to find rhythms so that I can keep serving everyone how I always want you to be served. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. No matter what happens moving forward, I know I am doing exactly what I want to do. Not even teenagers can scare me (most days).

– Rachel : )