awe struck wonder

A moment in time

"Three baby dolls and two vacuum cleaners" by Mama Casa

Today was an 'all day in the house' day for the Girls and I. My inspirational Cousin [who is a Teacher & Mom to 4] gave us this idea -- to help calm our kiddos. It seems they've been on the go too much, and that led to being tired. You get where I'm going here, I'm sure. Yesterday, both girls looked like they had just finished a WILD hockey game. One with a black eye. One with a sassy attitude [and a brand new missing tooth]!!

Well.

The funny thing (or NOT) about following through with consequences is that I'm finding it's almost more of a punishment to John and Me, and the girls' cousins who they were supposed to see. Big lessons on respect going on in this home, today! However, I admit, I got really bored sometime around 9:23 am. It was about 65 degrees and sunny out. Glorious. It was a long day in. But, looking back it was worth it and parts of the day were very sweet. Definately much needed.

Reading books to my girls is my absolute favorite thing to do with them; this was our main activity today. [No clean up! Yeah!] I love the conversations. Seeing their eyes light up. And tapping into their humor. Also, reading story's about other charactors who made the same poor choices THEN good choices that my Girls just had. Berenstain Bears is one our favorites.



Back in January I was flipping through radio stations in the car. I stopped at the local Christian station. The host was encouraging the listeners to pick one word as a reference point/goal for this year -- to put at the forefront of one's mind on hard days.

The word I chose: Intentional

in·ten·tion·al   
[in-ten-shuh-nl]

–adjective
1.
done with intention or on purpose; intended: an intentional insult.
2.
of or pertaining to intention or purpose.
3.
Metaphysics .
a.
pertaining to an appearance, phenomenon, or representation in the mind; phenomenal; representational.
b.
pertaining to the capacity of the mind to refer to an existent or nonexistent object.
c.
pointing beyond itself, as consciousness or a sign.
Origin: intention

—Related forms
in·ten·tion·al·i·ty, noun
in·ten·tion·al·ly, adverb
sub·in·ten·tion·al, adjective
sub·in·ten·tion·al·ly, adverb

—Synonyms
1. designed, planned. See deliberate.

—Antonyms
1. accidental.


So.

John and I spent the first part of today explaining and feeling the heat from the consequences. Then the second half getting the girls pumped for a better tomorrow...


Sadie's 'Get Well' Letter to Great Grandpa.

Uncle Time

My brother came to visit last week! We had fun exploring, hanging in and eating out! Here's a recap of the highlights!

Coors brewery
Red Rocks
Garden of the Gods
Hanging at home
Playing guitar

Foster to Adopt | Class

Ok, I'll start out by saying that this post will be in no particular order. My thoughts that is.

The class was everything John and I thought it would be and more -- our instructor sounded just like the 5 foster care/adoption books I've read [and read to John] over the past year! I can see how God has worked out the timing of this in so many ways. Our Cousins here, as well as Friends will be watching the girls while we take the remaining eight THREE hour classes. Many, many thanks to them!

Ok, I'll just dive in.

First, the certification process takes about 9 months - like a pregnancy, our instructor said. She did a brilliant job explaining the risks and reality of Foster-to-Adoption as much as one can in one hour, I think.

Uhh, Ok, let me go grab my handout so that I can toss around some statistics for you. Before I get the sheet, I just have to say that I feel like God gripped my heart tonight and reminded me that His hand is in this and that we should not be set on just fostering a baby boy... *to be continued*. ;)

Alright, here are some facts from my handout. I will leave out our actual county(s) & state for privacy sake:

Foster Care

On average, 1,100 children are in foster/kinship care in both counties on any given day.

40% are Teens.

All have experienced trauma and loss.

Children who are waiting [legally free to be adopted] in Foster Care are typically over the age of 8.

Approximately 60 children [at any given time] are waiting.

How do children leave Foster Care?

73% return to their parents or relatives.

38% are adopted by their relative or a family friend [Kinship].

Foster Home placement: 54% are adopted by their foster family.

With all that written. I need to quiet my mind... try not to make any more "solid plans" [I'm a first born and an excessive planner] and 'hit the hay' even though John is working on his homework downstairs.

Thank you for reading! I'll try and 'blog' after each class!