It was a particularly busy work day. Still, I took the morning off. I quietly removed from my calendar a meeting I didn’t want to miss, and a training I had looked forward to for weeks. I drove across town, juggled the baby and all of his things, and signed in at the doctor’s office. […]
Foster Care
Foster Care 101: The foster parent application process
When we decided to look into foster parenting, I quickly realized there aren’t a lot of resources for helping you understand what to expect. Sure, there are Facebook groups, message boards, and videos. But, I couldn’t find any real-life accounts with answers to some of my biggest questions. Like: How long does the process take? […]
Do foster parents get paid?
Confession: I’ve been binge-watching TV shows on Netflix. I’m home on (foster care) maternity leave, and there’s not much else to do. During these sessions, I’ve come across three separate shows that reference foster care. Each one is negative. There’s the “you’re not our biological child, so we won’t spend money on you” storyline. And […]
Foster Care 101: What to expect from the home study
Before our foster care home study, I had no idea what to expect. And admittedly, I was terrified. If you’re there right now… breathe. Center yourself. I know the term “home study” sounds intimidating, but I want you to know that it’s not. At least, it wasn’t for us. Of course, no two home study […]
In search of an oxymoron… the cute first aid kit I couldn’t live without
Disclaimer: We received one of these products at no cost. However, it is, indeed, the bees knees. Bad mom confession: Up until a month ago, I didn’t have a first aid kit in our home. Sure, I had bandages, creams, and ice packs. But, if I had to tell you where they were… I could […]
Learning to love and let go of our first foster child
10: 26 p.m. on Monday. That’s when my life changed. My husband and I were sitting in bed, routinely working on a crossword puzzle like the boring young couple we are, when my phone rang. The call I’d been praying for: Our first foster child would arrive around midnight. What a rush. Fear. Excitement. Sorrow. […]
An open letter to my future foster child
Dear sweet child, I know this is scary. One minute, you’re home. The next, you’re living with strangers. I can’t begin to imagine the confusion you are feeling, and I won’t pretend to understand. You’ve never met me before, but I’m going to be your foster mom. Alongside your foster dad, I will do my […]
{Announcement} Why we chose to become foster parents
It was sometime in the fall of 2011, in the family room of the Incredible Pizza in Tulsa. The room with “I Love Lucy” memorabilia and cozy booths. My boyfriend Byron sat across from me. It was a new relationship. And as such, we hadn’t yet talked about serious things: marriage, finances, children. As I […]