When I suddenly got pregnant a 2nd time so soon after giving birth to Sydney I knew I couldn't put my body through another pregnancy...it was so difficult. I struggled with the decision to tie my tubes and I remember after Gavin had been delivered and the doctor asked "are you sure" as he was holding the tube I hesitated for just a moment, I wanted to say "no, don't do it" but I knew it was the best thing for our family that I not put us all through another pregnancy, but I was not done having kids.
Dan and I always wanted to do foster care. After he spend a week at Royal Family Kids Camp in 2009 he was ready to get started and start helping kids. Paperwork is my thing and we flew through the licensing process...but we never expected to get a placement on the day our license was approved. We NEVER expected an infant either. I had a conversation with my mom the night before we were called about Baby that I was "glad to be done with diapers and formula!" Ha, joke was on me, God had other plans!
Baby came to us at 2 days old...we were told to expect her to stay about a week. She's been with us for 5 months and we have no idea when (or if) she's going home to her birth mom. Her case is unusual. My resource worker at DHS assures me that most cases are much less complicated! Still it has been a great learning experience and a great statement of our faith and stepping outside ourselves to help someone else. I truly like Baby's birth mom and I want the best for her. My experience with her has taught me to be better about judging others and being compassionate when it's hard and you don't want to be. It has also taught me to appreciate the things I have and the people in my life, and especially appreciate my kids and the blessings they bring me each day. As hard as it is to be a foster parent I always try to remind myself how much harder it would be to be the one to have my baby taken away as I was preparing to take her home from the hospital.
Turns out I'm actually pretty good with kids. It can be difficult, crazy making, but we make it through, each day is an journey, sometimes a smooth Sunday drive, sometimes a crazy boat ride and I'm trying to not fall over board. No matter which ride I'm taking I just remind myself that tomorrow is a new day and a new ride, so just hold and enjoy!
