Heart-felt thanks

First, we would like to again say thank you for everyone's support.  The outpouring of love and all the kind words has been completely overwhelming.  Without the support from family and friends, this decision would have been even harder.

A number of wonderfully thoughtful people have asked us how they can help us.  We thought we'd address the question here on the blog.

First and foremost, please pray.
Pray for us as parents, for our biological children, as well as for W and L who are going to be going through a lot of changes in a short period of time.  We will all need a lot grace and patience as we adjust to this new life.

Our philosophy as foster parents is that we will always treat foster kids as if they are our own.  For us that means, they will receive new school clothes, toys, have birthday parties and enjoy extracurricular activities just like our biological children do.   Much of these expenses are covered with the monthly stipend.   At the same time, our philosophy as parents is to bring all children up to know Christ by raising them in the most positive, Christ-centered environment that we can, which includes enrolling them in Christians schools.  Unfortunately, the state does not cover private schools so it is our decision - place the children in the local public school while our kids attend private or put all the children in the same school.   For us, it's an easy decision; all the children will attend the same Christian school.  We believe that God will provide the funds each month to continue this.

Though we do receive a small stipend from the state to support each foster child, getting our home prepared for two additional children is our responsibility.  We are in the process of re-arranging rooms and looking for additional furniture to accommodate everyone.  We are still need need of a set of twin beds (we are hoping to find a set that can be turned into a bunk bed for when the boys get a little older) and a larger dining room table.  We have found some suitable items at IKEA and are planning on a making a trip up in early August before the kids come.

We still have a lengthy list of items on our needs/wish list and about a month to get all the items together.
If you would like to contribute, we would be truly blessed by your generosity.

School supplies (with four kids in school we have a HUGE list of supplies needed to start the year)
Girl toys (we have absolutely no toys for a four year old girl and we are unsure of what she will arrive with)
kid size lawn chairs (we will need two additional chairs)
Bikes (one boy, one girl)
Pillows (x2)
Twin mattress - we have an older one that will do for a little while but it's not in great shape.
Twin sheets in pink/purple/aqua/white (x 2)
Twin sheets in Navy/white/blue (x 2)
Gift cards to purchase school clothes, shoes, car seats, etc (once upon a child, target, IKEA, Kohls, Payless etc)

Also if you are willing to support our decision to place the children in a Christian school, our school runs a TRIP program which allow us to purchase gift cards and a certain percentage of those cards will be taken off our tuition bill.  For example, we purchase HyVee gift cards with our monthly grocery budget and 4% of that money will be put towards our monthly tuition bill.  It's a simple, way for us to save a bit each month.  Gift cards can be purchased at our school, and if you would like more details on this program, please feel free to contact us directly.

We have been so blessed with so much - a home that will accommodate a large family, a wonderful job and the amazing support of family and friends.  We truly feel blessed to be walking down this new path, knowing God will provide for all of our needs and the needs of His children.  Thanks to everyone who is walking this journey with us, the love that you show to us and the children that come into our home, changes lives.