When I choose the name of this blog nearly a year ago, I had every intention of writing about our life as a foster family. I envisioned a blog full of insight and tips that could help other families transition into foster families, encourage and educate those who were interested and just generally have an outlet to share my experience. Quite honestly, I never ended up writing anything because the transitions of infants seemed to be natural to our family and I never knew what to write about or had any sage advice to give. We have been a foster family since February 2011 and since I (Jenn) work from home, we have always focused on infants and babies who aren't able to attend daycare yet. So far the experience has been wonderful and has felt very natural.
Currently we are caring for a beautiful baby girl, A. Two and half months ago she come to us as a four week old, just a few days out of the NICU. Now she is a chubby little doll who is growing in a happy contented little girl. As we have cared for A we have also gotten to know two of her siblings, her brother W, and sister L. They stop by every week after their family visit and we can come to really look forward to those weekly stop ins. After seeing their family interactions, we really started believing that being together was what would be best for this family long term. Though previously we have never considered taking any more than one foster child at a time, we did feel like God had been preparing us for something big. We knew that all three of these children should be in the same home, bonding and getting to know each other but could we really be the family to facilitate this? That was the big question. Then this week, the family's social worker asked us if we could consider taking W and L for two weeks of respite while their foster parents were in Germany and we had a decision to make. Of course we would be willing to take the kids for those two weeks but were we called to do more? Was this the time to transition these kids into one household? Could we really handle two more kids in our home? We had many, many questions but through it all we also had an overwhelming sense of peace and a sense of what we were supposed to do.
After prayer and discussion, we have decided to take on the responsibility and privilege of uniting these three siblings under one roof, allowing them to bond as a family. Which means, we will soon be juggling an infant, two preschoolers, a Kindergartner and a first grader, all while trying to balance work/home life and attempting to maintain family relationships, friendships, the home, the laundry pile and our general sanity. Phew! I get a little overwhelmed when thinking about it but I have complete peace that God is going to provide the patience, understanding, stamina and most of all the love and acceptance to care for all five of the children He has entrusted to us for however long He sees fit.
If we thought life was a hectic before, we are now officially living "The Circus Life"
Stay tuned for more!
