What we've been up to in the past few weeks and how you can help...

I don't think we ever imagined that our decision to pursue foster care training about 2 months ago would leave us down the path that it currently is - but, boy are we excited! 

We haven't completed everything we have to have done for licensure quite yet, but we are getting mighty close.  And by the end of next week, we hope to have everything submitted to our social worker for review at the beginning of November.

But, here's an account of the things we have managed to have completed in just the past three weeks:

• We have completed our MAPP training - This is the required training for prospective foster parents.  We had to go to class every Monday and Tuesday evening for 5 weeks (a total of 30 hours) to learn the fundamentals of foster care.  This class was highly informative and our call to foster care/adoption was solidified through this course.  But I gotta say, it is so nice to have my Monday and Tuesday nights back to myself!  
• We attended panel night - This was actually an aspect of our training, but I'm making it a separate point because it really stood out for Andrew and me.  Panel night occurred last Monday evening, and included two active foster couples.  One of the couples was actually younger than Andrew and myself - which was actually a huge answered prayer for me (Lindsay).  We got to ask questions of them, and they offered a lot of useful insight and advice to us.  
• We have started on the "Kiddo Room" - This is probably one of the biggest changes over the past couple of weeks.  The room that I used to adoringly refer to as the "wedding room" in the house (because it's where I collected everything needed for our big day) has begun it's transformation into a kid's room.  

This is what the bedroom looked like around noon on Sunday, October 5th...

The room looked like this around 2pm or so that same day...

By last Wednesday evening, the room looked more like this!

And as of tonight, I finished making the bumper!

• This is definitely one of the most exciting parts about everything.  It's fun pulling everything together for the room and getting it "kid ready".  It's also exciting walking past the room daily and knowing that in a few weeks, we could have a kid (or a few kids!) living in this very spot!  I still have a few other projects to work on for the room, but it's coming together great.
• We finished all of our interviews - as of today! - When pursuing licensure for foster care, prior to everything being considered complete, you have to go through a series of 3 interviews.  These interviews are very personal, getting to the nitty-gritty of a lot of different aspects of one's life, upbringing, parenting philosophy, etc. to determine appropriateness and preparedness for fostering/adopting.  So, for the past 3 Thursday afternoons, Andrew and I have met with our social worker to complete these interviews.

Through this process, we have been humbled and appreciative of all of the positive feedback and support that we've received from family and friends in the past few weeks - it truly has been such a blessing to know that we have such an amazing support system around us during this time.  A lot of people have asked the same question: what can we do to help?

I wanted to make sure to answer this question as thoughtfully as possible, so I've mulled it over, and here is (part of) my answer:

• First and foremost, please pray for us.  We know what we're getting into - but at the same time, we have no idea what we're getting into.  We've been thoroughly trained in certain aspects of what to expect with fostering children in DSS custody, but at the same time, we don't know what it's like to actually live this kind of life.  We don't know what children we will be asked to take into our homes.  We don't know their backgrounds and needs.  And we don't know the exact pain and hurt that we will experience when/if we're told it's time for them to return home to their family.  But we know that it's going to hurt.  It's going to be unlike anything we've ever experienced, we're sure.  But please pray that when that time comes, that our hearts are not hardened towards fostering by the experience, but instead softened further to the cause of helping children and families desperately in need.
• Please be understanding of the fact that our lives are about to drastically change.  We have thoroughly prayed about this and feel as if we're called to this means of growing our family.  Please understand that one day we may not have any children in our care, but the very next we may have a few!  Plans will change, routines will drastically alter - we will have to create a new normal.  And we are so excited about these changes coming our way!  
• Please consider donating anything you or your child no longer uses/needs if you feel called to do so.  Let's face it, we're starting fresh with this - we have no kids of our own at this time.  And we're being asked to jump in head first into parenting.  There's no guarantee our first placement will be a baby - we could very well have a four year old.  We could very well have a sibling group placed with us very first thing.  Or we could be asked to keep an 8 year old just for a weekend.  And because of all of this uncertainty, we have no idea where to really begin in collecting essential items.  The real eye-opener for us was at panel night.  The couple that was younger than us has been doing foster care for over a year already and have already had twelve different children placed in their home - over half of them being babies!!!

We have some staple essentials:  one crib that can convert to a toddler bed, one stroller, a pack-n-play, one car seat, a high chair, and a toddler swing - but honestly, that's about it.  So, with that being said, here are some of our biggest needs:

• Clothes - any size, any gender, any season - seriously!  Onesies, shirts, pants/shorts, dresses, socks, shoes - it doesn't matter!  We already have access to plastic bins to arrange these items that way we can "grab and go" as needed.  This is probably our GREATEST need, as we have no idea where to even begin collecting at this time.  We were advised by other foster parents that we will continually go through clothes with children in our home because often times they come in with nothing, so when they leave, they leave with everything you have that fits them!
• Diapers and Wipes - again, any size.  Newborns and preemies are sometimes in foster care.  And given that we requested a younger age range, we will more than likely be in need of these sooner than later!  If you find that your baby outgrew a size before you used up all of your packs, or that you have an extra pack of wipes just laying around, we could definitely put these items to great use.
• Formula Coupons - doesn't matter the brand, size, etc. 
• Toys and Books - again, anything is appreciated.  Another aspect where we don't know where to start collecting items.
• Anything else that may be essentials/of use at some point! - baby monitors, accessories, dishes, bedding, etc. etc. etc.  I honestly don't know what else to list right now (I'm also exhausted at the moment), but I know this is by no means an exhaustive list!

If we find that we are not in need of something that you would like to donate to us, we will certainly be happy to pass along the item(s) to a family or ministry who would greatly benefit from the item, such as Least of These Gaston.   We promise to be good stewards of what you bless us (and the children in our homes) with.

As always, we're here to talk openly about our journey - please get in touch with us about any questions you may have about our journey!  Love you all!