foster placement

 

Tonight Wayne, and I attended a few training classes with our foster agency.  Our working told us that she got a call earlier in the day.  They were looking to place a newborn infant still in the NICU, who was born without most of his brain.  She sadly had to tell them no, because none of her families could care for him. 

From a medical stand point we could have cared for him. However they needed a family where one parent stayed home full-time.  I wish I was a kept women a stay at home wife!

It breaks my heart to think of a tiny newborn baby, left alone in a hospital without any parents.  He has already been given a death sentence.  Doesn't he deserve a mama, and a Daddy?

sign me up!

 

Wayne, and I went to our local foster parent association meeting tonight.  It was great to meet other local foster parents.  The topic tonight was utilizing community resources, I got a lot of helpful information regarding what programs are out there for foster children.

I also found out that they have an old foster care clothing closet that hasn't been touched in over a year.  So I signed Wayne, and myself along with another couple to clean out, and collect donations to get the closet up, and running again.

So my new title is the clothing closet coordinator or CCC, which ever you prefer!

So if your local and have anything you wish to donate for children birth-18 years old, give me a call!

Foster care room

We have one crib in the room just now which turns into a toddler bed. We have another in the attic incase we get two young children. A little table for crafting, reading books, or having fun.

A little over the top with toys, I know.

A decorative shelf to store keep sakes.

A chair for reading books, dresser. The clock is off center, I couldn't get my hubby to move it lol.

Now we just need some wall decor, and a child!!

Happy New Year!

Another year has came and gone, what a wonderful year it was, filled with a lot of up's, and plenty of downs. But isn't that what life is all about?

2008 did not start off well I had just lost my Mum to cancer. Watching her slowly fade was one of the hardest things I have had to endure. At the time I didn't think I could live without her. But some how a year has passed, and I continue on.

In 2008 Wayne asked me to marry him, we didn't waste much time, as we both knew we did not want a big wedding. So we decided to elope, and were married on Tybee Island in May.

I was bursting with excitement, I couldn't wait to call everyone to let them in on our big secrete! Marrying Wayne, was truly the happiest day of my life. Knowing I have a man that loves me no matter what is the best feeling in the world.

It seems my life goes from one extreme to another I hope that in 2009 things level out. There are many things I am looking forward to in the new year.

I am excited about our first foster placement that will hopefully take place sometime in the near future.

I can't wait until our one year wedding anniversary. It's almost been a year since we married.. wow!!!

I am excited about our upcoming vacations. We really enjoy vacations, and try to get away whenever we can. We are in the process of planning a European vacation.

I look forward to spending time with my friends, and family. Watching the kids grow up, and turn into little people.

I look forward to adding to my family. Who knows by 2010 there could be another Sanford in the house.

Happy new year. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2009

No news, good news?

 

We still have not had a placement, and I getting frustrated waiting.  I think we should have went from the state from the start, instead of a private agency.

Wayne hasn't had another bout of MRSA since, the beginning of November.

I am totally loving my new van.  The back windows roll down, the third row stows away with the click of a button.

I can fit a 4X8 sheet of plywood in the back!

No big Christmas plans here, just taking it easy, and enjoying time together.

My Mother in law was supposed to be visiting over Christmas, but it turns out she wont be able to make it. We were really looking forward to seeing her.  Hopefully she will make it up soon.

Nothing too exciting going on!

lalalalal

 

Just sitting here waiting for a phone call from our foster agency.  I hope we get a match soon.

Mommy mobile!

 

Check out my new ride! A 8 seater Toyota Sienna with

electric sliding doors. 

legal

 

Today we went to a CPR class that was given by our foster care agency, as that is one of the requirements of being a licensed  foster parent.  We decided to in crease the age of the children we are willing to care for from 0-4, up to age 7. 

After we signed a mountain of paper work we were given or official letter which states we are certified as foster parents!!!

Now the waiting, and wondering begins.   

Celebrate good times!!

 

We are officially  licensed!

Nope..

We're not licensed yet..

New's flash

 

According to our intake coordinator we should have our foster care license in our hands this Friday, but I am not holding my breath..  I will let you know if we get it.  Keep your fingers crossed..

Just hanging out

Waiting for the mailman to bring our foster care license...

****News flash****

 

We should have our foster care license in TEN days, and should have a child shortly there after.  I can't contain myself, so many thoughts running through my mind.

Was everyone else dying with excitement over their first placement?

Daycare

 

I have spent the last few weeks searching.  for quality child care for our foster child.  So far I have no luck, the good daycare's have a mile long waiting list, and the not so good ones, shouldn't be calling themselves a "daycare". 

What makes you think you can charge the same as everyone else when all you do is sit on your behind, while the kids watch tv, and play with the handful of toys you have for them?

Why do parents sign their child up for such a "daycare"? Is it because they just don't know any better?  A child spends on average 40-50 hours per week at daycare, most of their awake hours. Don't you want your child's day to be filled with fun, stimulation, and plenty of playtime?

In my opinion a quality home  daycare provider should have a playroom filled with age appropriate toys. He/She should offer a preschool curriculum for preschool aged children.  Their should be outside toys for the children to play with.  The providers home should be clean, and most importantly the provider should speak proper English.

I am at a loss as to what to do with little Ray Ray, there has got to be an opening at one of the good daycare's.

P.s I ran a QUALITY home daycare for five years, before moving to Georgia.

disappointed

 

Our home resource coordinator was scheduled to come today to complete our home study.  At the last minute she had some kids come in, and had to do intake, so we had to reschedule .  I am disappointed, ready to have this over and done with.

Still waiting..

 

We have completed all of our paper for becoming foster parents.  We have one more home visit with our resource coordinator, and should have our first placement by the end of October. 

The unknown of what the child will be like, how old he or she will be is driving us crazy. There is no way to prepare since things differ between a newborn, and a four year old.

My sister Lesley donated some clothes, and my other sisters Nicola is bring a few baby items with her when she's visits in November.  

We have two twin beds, and will purchase a crib if we get an infant placement.

The excitement is killing me.

Passed..With flying colors!!

 

Well we got a 100 on our safety visit, but I am sure you already knew that since I am super organized. (tooting my own horn for a second)  She did however tell Wayne he needed to declutter his "man room". (ha)

We are now scheduled to have our home study completed Oct 9th, and should be up and running by the end of October.  Maybe we will have little "Ray Ray" in time for Halloween.

Today I took some time to talk with Parker about Wayne, and I becoming foster parents.  I told him that we were going to take care of a little boy or girl, because his/her Mommy, and Daddy were sick, and were/are not able to take care of them.  I said once they are better the little boy or girl will go back home.

His response, my Mommy and Daddy are sick, so I need you and Wayne to be my parents until they feel better.  Mommy has a cold. So can I spend the night at your house?  Priceless!

Thursday is the day!

 

On Thursday our home resource coordinator from Georgia safe, is coming out to do our safety inspection.  We have spent most of the weekend making sure everything is in order.

We tidied up the outside of our house, which in tailed removing a dump truck full of wood from our remodel. We bought a fire extinguisher, two more smoke alarms. A locked box to store medication, and a few supplies to add to our first aid kit.

We tidied our guest room, and clean out the closet to ensure we have enough space for "Ray Ray" (our pet name for our foster child).

Keep your fingers crossed!

Placement

 

I wonder what your story is?

What color are your eyes? 

Will you look like us, or have a darker complexion? . How old will you be? 

What will  be your special needs?

Will you be happy, and content?  Sad and confused?

Will you call us Mum, and Dad, or Mr. and Mrs?

Will you laugh, sing, dance and play?

What is your favorite food? 

Will you need counseling? 

Will you take medication to help you deal with life struggles?

How long will you stay with us?

Even though our first placement is months way  these are a few of the many questions that have been racing through my mind.

I can't wait to meet you little one.

Should I?

 

Wayne, and I have been struggling with the idea of becoming foster parents.  We missed our training last weekend, because we were both sick.  The next one is in November, but knowing my luck it will be when Mark, (my brother), and his family are in town visiting.

I have wanted to foster for several years.  Wayne, and I have been discussing it on and off, the last few months, and we decided to give it ago.

I signed up for a yahoo group, that is geared toward foster parenting.  The group mainly consists  foster mothers, talking about their daily ups and downs of raising foster children. 

Many of them have fostered over a dozen children, and eventually adopted a few of them.  Some of them they picked him from the hospital after they were born.  Others came from group homes as troubled teens.

These children like all children need a lot of attention, and love.  There will be your typical sick child, and well check doctors apts.  As well as countless other appointments with social workers, and councilors.  Court dates, and school meetings.

I know that Wayne, and I  could give a child a loving home, but I am worried I wont be able to "do it all" and not miss any work. As my boss is being less than supportive about this whole situation.

I wonder if the timing is wrong, should  we just hold off until I am able to stay home?

Should I enjoy married life, kid free for a few years?

Or should I jump in feet first, and get on with it?