Family

In our foster class training we were taught that we are "resource parents," another term for "foster." We use  those terms sarcastically in our house. "Resource" relationships seem to slap the face of what we believe to be God's intention for a covenant family. Any child in our home is our child. We are their parents. It might not be forever, but there would be no differentiation if we had biological kiddos here as well. The word resource seems to intensify the political aspect of foster care. We are the resources of the state true, but we are still to provide a normal, stable family life for kiddos until further notice, or become their "forever family" (another term used).

That being said, we probably significantly underestimated the amount of 'pressure' this decision in our lives would put on our respective families. We are so blessed to have God fearing family and friends who are respectful, supportive, and mostly prayerful of our decisions. Their support this week in particular has been an unexpected blessing. Not that I didn't expect them to be supportive, but because of how inconsistent, and ever changing foster care can be, J and I wanted to try to down play the presence of children in our home.  For #1, I am not sure this was ever going to be possible, my own panic, and our quick call to action left no choice but to frantically call our family. They all have bent over backwards to surround us with blessing

Cheers to the "Resource" relatives !
~Brother and Sister in law provided me food all week!
~Sister in law came over almost every night this week to help with an evening feeding...and to hold the sweet sleeping baby...
~ Sister in law hosted a girls night +Baby tonight so we could watch girly tv and she could snuggle baby  while I supervised....i.e. painted my finger nails.
~ 1 resource grandma made curtains and a quilted wall hanging (pictures pending), provided clothes and came to visit me from afar bearing hugs, encouragement and laughs.
~1 resource grandma made burp cloths, went consignment shopping with me and helped with nursery decor,  and came over to meet baby C with warm welcome his first night here.
~ Resource PA Auntie for dealing with my mess of frantic phone calls while in various baby stores, and my tears and dumb questions I am too embarrassed to google!

Not to mention the friends and family that donated our up-cycled baby stash into existence, car seats, crib, stroller, bouncer, swing, clothes, you name it. God has certainly provided and opened these doors for us exceedingly wide


This has only been a few days and the outpouring of love has been such a blessing. It is such an incredible feeling to know that no matter how long a child is in our home, they will have an extended family that will love on them oodles!

baby c

Little baby C is a dream. He is on one major medication which could be making him drowsier than some babies, but after his doctor appointment today I can say he is healthy, gaining weight, and a happy little clam. He eats, he sleeps, he poops, he lost his umbilical cord, and did not cry once when they squeezed blood out of his heel today.

I wish he was mine. Maybe someday. The "jury" (figuratively and literally) will be out for a while as there is a family member who wants him; also he has sibling which makes him a "package deal."

I don't feel it prudent to list the many complex and half-baked data that make up baby's C's situation. Compared to some foster babies, his is ideal. But still messy.

As for the Faiths, I knew this would be hard,  I knew this would involve lots of people, but the reality is...this is hard, and it involves lots of people!

In fact today, I was speaking to one lady who had needed to see me and baby in my home "as soon as possible," and while answering her questions I repeatedly had to say, "this is what I was told, I am not sure if this is accurate information.." she knew less than I did! At one point I stopped her talking... "I am sorry, forgive me for not keeping everyone straight, but who are you and where do you fit into this equation again?" Let's just say it was a behavioral counselor or something of the sort, marking baby C for a mandatory evaluation.  Which even she admitted makes no sense, him being only 5 days old...  One more meeting, add it to my list. We had a doc appointment today, that weird appointment at my house, we had case workers follow us home from hospital, our licensing agent visits tomorrow, and I have a doc appointment the week after and a specialty appointment the week after that. There will be more in the interim. This kid has more meetings than a CEO! I have yet to work with anyone mean, but I can see the tedious problems in the future...in the magic-crystal-future-foster care-ball...

 I found it interesting that I caught myself twice today declaring myself the "foster mom" as opposed to his mom....don't get me wrong I already would jump in front of a car this kid, but I also find myself defensive of his "possible" medical condition....not wanting it linked to my care-giving/non-prenatal care-giving. Am I making sense?... Watch me as I hopefully die to my selfish vanity. What does it matter what the hospital thinks of me as long as they are properly taking care of my baby...right?

 I do feel encouraged, as a first timer, I felt no judgment at my awkward attempt at maneuvering both diaper/file cabinet bag and infant seat from room to room. Nurses and doctors were wonderful to me and baby, it helps that baby C is beyond adorable. I think they examined him so long, just so they got a chance to hold him.

I feel so blessed for having such a praying and loving family. Foster grandparents (our parents) visiting and calling, my sister in law and brother bringing me food and sanity as we figure out life with baby.


Oh right, I am only 48 hours in, if I sound a bit delusional/sleepy/ that is why..

Baby C sends his love!

Baby is here

Sweet baby boy C. has been with us for over 24 hours now.
He was born last Friday and is as "easy" as babies can be, as told to me by his nurse.

Crazy circumstances, and a crazy roller coaster of emotions for "resource" mamma-kate, but baby is doing great!

Some health issues are possible, but we found out today they are not probable. *crisscrossapplesauce* This week includes 2 more home visits related to baby C and a Dr. appointment.

Haven't decided if ever I will post pictures, but trust me when I saw he is ADORABLE

The first "Call"

Today we received our first  "CALL."  I was visiting my sister-in-law, and after having JUST completed a conversation with her about how it would be a few weeks before we were "licensed," my phone rang and there was our licensing agent. We are LICENSED! Such Joy...such panic! Originally we didn't think our paper's would be processed until closer to the end of the month!

No the baby room is not done.

No my house is not clean.

My diaper bag is not packed.

And I am leaving town in the morning. Not exactly where I thought I'd be when this first call came.

So, when I return, as of Monday, our agency will begin "looking" for us via the emails they receive daily about whatever lovely kiddo needs to move in with us ASAP.

The next time I update I will either be learning parenthood or anticipating our next call...the call that says, "Are you awake? We have a kid for you!"

Excuse me while this lame wife goes and finishes writing her honey-do list for her amazing hubby before she goes on a mini-vacay. :-)