Foster Care 2015...

Well it is the end of January 2015 and our foster care roller coaster continues... We have had 12 kids to date. Bobby and Sonja, Jerry and Vanaya, Rowan, Giannah, Violet, Katara, Russell, Chastity and Shawn, Rylie...Each child has had their own different challenges and personalities!!! The boys have been the most difficult in the long run. Bobby and Jerry made us think for an extra second when asked if we would take Russel & Shawn (I'm really glad we said yes to them!)  We have had Violet the longest - it was 1 year on January 15th, 2015 and we had Katara for the shortest amount of time - 5 days! February 19th is the court date in which Violet's Mom could loose her rights to services, which will mean that the kids will be up for adoption. After a lot of gut wrenching talking, praying, taking council from family and friends we decided that we couldn't adopt Violet. Our age is a huge factor...enough said.

Bobby went to live with his mom and we heard that they were doing well and her case was closed.

Sonja went to live with an aunt & uncle and that she won't be going back to her dad...he's a bad dude.

Jerry and Vanaya are back in the system...we don't know anything else than that...so sad for them.

Rowan is living with Jennifer and Dave and they are working on adopting her (her name is Leia now).

Giannah went to live with her dad's twin sister, but last we heard she had gone to live with her mother again.

Violet is still with us until at least February 19th...

Katara went to live with her Grandmother.

Russell, Chastity, & Shawn were moved to a forever home but then was moved again when the family couldn't be approved for adoption...

Rylie is with us now...not sure for how long, 

So many kids with so many selfish drug using parents....It is an epidemic of epic proportions and most people don't really understand this.

I don't see it getting any better unfortunately....

Three little boys.

This morning was a pretty amazing one. I had the joy of not just caring for Bobby but for two other sweet little guys!!! Hayden is 19 months & Ryan is 11 months. They look like twins they are so close the same size. ( the two together only weigh half of what the Bobbster weighs!!!). We did fairly well until the green eyed monster came for a visit! It was hard for both Bobby & Daisy to share my affections! Crackers became the best common denominator... Every boy received a cracker & Daisy became a stalker! She withstood hair pulls etc to look for cracker chunks!!! Let me just say... Both Daisy & Bobby took a long nap nap after the boys left! It was a long morning for them & a fun one for me. !!!!!

Morning all!

8:05 am. Sonja on her way to camp...Les going to a breakfast meeting ...Bobby still asleep after a late night watching fireworks at the McConnel party...Me? I'm sitting here on my Grandmas swing enjoying a cooler morning & reading my book du jour !!! Mmmmmmmm!!!😉

Life as a foster parent

It's been about 2 months now since Sonja & Bobby joined our lives... Seems like it has been longer in so many ways. They have wormed their way into our hearts & caused us to try & figure out how to become the parents we never were. They are so different than our children and grandchildren. They have seen & experienced things I hope they will never have to again. My grandchildren are so sweet & kind. Gentle in so many ways. I am proud of my girls and how great they have been parenting their kids. All 7 will be productive & outstanding adults just like their parents. I know that Matt & Janet will be amazing parents.
Going to counciling & attorney appointments with Sonja & 3+ hour visits for Bobby... Things kids shouldn't have to think about... Wondering who they will live with. I pray that the time with us will be a time that will make a difference in their lives.

Kids kingdom in Redding CA!!!

This was the answer to my question where do you want to eat your lunch?
Collin & I had gone there months ago & he had made friends with a boy named Zach.
He got to go to a birthday party there & was told it was in Redding CA by his mom! He told me "I love that park"!!!
So he spent about an hour running swinging. Hanging upside down just having fun & being all boy!

A double digit day!

Happy birthday to our sweet Drew! It is so hard to believe you could turn 10 years old today! Seems just yesterday we were welcoming you to the world! Papa & I love you very much!!!

Garbage day!

This week is April Cean-up in the Great City of Anderson !!! Monday, Wednesday , Friday trash was taken in different spots ... For Free! Today( Friday) was in the Anderson River Park. We started at 8am & after filling 3 HUGE dumpsters full of everything imaginable (plus all of the metal & electronics that were separated out...) At 12pm we stopped for the day. I didn't think to take a picture of anything there so I guess I'll have to share a picture of what Pinterest made me bring home!!! After hefting trash into the dumpster, driving around & picking up trash from different areas in the park I think it is okay to have stashed a few usable things in my car... Saving space in the landfill, recycling or up cycling... Right !!!
I'm sure that the few of you who read my blog will agree with me!!! It's for my ART!!if I ever actually use these beauties I will have to post "after" pics!!!
!