Answering His Call

There are big changes happening in our family. Five years ago, when I replaced my role as Case Worker with the role of Mommy, I always hoped that one day I would add another role of foster or adoptive mom as well. I hoped for it, but I never imagined that God would have brought us to this place, here and now. But He is faithful and His plan is far greater than we could ever have for ourselves. He has been working in our hearts and in a million different ways in our lives to prepare us and lead us in this way.
Back in December, it was Graham who heard God's call. He came to me and said that he knew God was calling us to care for orphans. And this was coming from the same man who just months before had told me "no, I don't think I'm confident enough in my parenting to adopt", when I had asked if he would ever think of adopting. Once I had a little bit of time to digest this gigantic turn of events, we began searching into what exactly this meant for our family. Because today's modern day orphan can be found in many different ways around this world. Of course I was very familiar with our local foster care system through my education and career and this was a natural path for us to look into. However at the same time, God opened up our eyes to the horrific plight of orphans around the world and our hearts broke again. In our research, it seemed at first that the foster care door was closing for our family and that International Adoptions was where God was calling us. We began the application process and were approved. However, back in my research regarding foster care, I came across an agency called FaithBridge. And suddenly it became very apparent to me what has been lacking in my faith and in my church. FaithBridge looks at the problem of foster care and sees the solution in the church. As Christians, it is our responsibility to care for widows and orphans and God makes this clear throughout His Word. So as we began our personal road toward International Adoption, I began reaching out to the church to find out how we can begin a foster care and orphan ministry within the church. And it is through this process that it became clear that in fact God was calling our family to foster care as well.
We have taken this leap and have begun our training and could not be more excited about this plan and purpose for our family. During the span of these two weeks, we have had four life changing, new events. Nicholas started Kindergarten, Graham and I started and will complete all of our foster parent training, I started teaching at the preschool, and Nolan will start going to preschool for the first time. Throw in church meetings and school meetings every single night and end the two weeks with Graham's birthday and you've got a recipe for complete stress and chaos! But despite all of that, each day has gone by filled with nothing but God's perfect peace.
The wonderful thing about this ministry is that we can not and should not do this alone. Foster care is not easy. In fact it is down right hard and messy and heartbreaking. FaithBridge has a wonderful model that they call the Community of Care. This is essentially a team of volunteers that comes around the foster family to raise them up and support them and the children. These volunteers help with meals, clothing and supplies, transportation, babysitting, tutoring, respite care, pastoral support, and prayer support. They become an extended family for these children who so desperately need the loving influence of others. They are the hands and feet of Christ to these kids. We are in the process of trying to find these volunteers and support for our family. If you have ever wondered how you could touch the life of a child in need but didn't know where to begin, please contact me and I can give you more information on how you can become involved.

Kindergarten 2012

Well this day has quickly arrived! Nicholas had a wonderful first day at school! On Thursday at the Open House, unfortunately his teacher was sick so we didn't get to meet the teacher so they said I could come in on Monday to meet her. I think this was a little blessing in disguise to help me with my first day jitters!! Nicholas on the other hand had no first day jitters! He rocked it! When I went in to wake him up he jumped out of bed and said "Is the bus here?? I'm SO excited to go to my first day today!!" It was adorable! We quickly got ready and ate breakfast and I realized how quickly the morning is going to go and how efficient I will need to be to not miss the bus every morning at 7:02 am!! Thank goodness it comes right across the street and I don't have to go to the front of the neighborhood! I am so thankful for that! So after some adorable pictures where Nicholas wanted to do a cool side pose to show off his new Mario bros. backpack, we were off to school!

Do I not live with the 3 cutest guys in the world or what?!

When we got the school we rushed to his classroom. He put his things away and we met his teacher, took a quick picture and then found his desk and said our goodbyes! It was literally that quick! I had no time to get sad!

Then Nolan and I headed to Chickfila to meet 2 of my friends and their little ones who also dropped their kindergarteners (and 2nd graders) off, so that I wouldn't go home and cry. It was great to visit with them and keep my mind off of things! But unfortunately I was having some painful chestpains that were not just a result of my "heart" going off to kindergarten, so I headed to the doctor and found out I have bronchitis! That put a bit of a bummer on the day.
But soon it was time to wait for the bus and pray that Nicholas made it home! Thankfully he did and had a fabulous day as well!

"First day of kindergarten, no problem! I got this!"
He was so pooped, he asked to go to bed at 6:30 tonight!

Summer Highlights

Summer has come and gone! How does this happen so quickly?! It was a great one! While we didn't do any traveling this summer, it was still jam packed with fun and great memories! I started working at the preschool, helping out with the summer camps. The boys came along with me and loved every minute of it. Especially Nolan who was so proud to finally be going to school like his big brother!

I really enjoyed working with the kids and it was a great way to get my feet wet for my next adventure that will be starting this fall--teaching at the preschool! I'll be teaching the babies, 2 days a week, with my friend Stacey. More on that to come.
In between camps we took a break for VBS--exhausting but amazing! It was so wonderful to be with these 500+ children as they learn all about God's promises for their lives. And even more amazing that 2 months later, Nicholas reminded me of the things we learned and applied it to what we were discussing, "Remember mom, always Trust God." Makes it all worth it!
When we weren't in camp or VBS, we were typically having tons of fun with friends. Holly and I had an incredible time at the Lady Antebellum concert thanks to our sweet hubbies!

There was lots of time spent with both sets of grandparents and lots of time in the pool. Nicholas is a fish in the water! Swimming the length or width of the pool and jumping off the diving board! The boys spent weekends with the grandparents...

While Graham and I ventured to Ikea to buy some new furniture...

We played lots of games and puzzles

Spent time outside...

And did arts and crafts...

We even learned how to do more chores and earn an allowance...

And we had many great meals with friends and family...

Lastly, Graham took a day off and we had a great day down at the Aquarium! What an amazing place! It was Graham's first visit and it'd been a long time for the rest of us. We saw the dolphin show which was great and enjoyed the rest of the exhibits.

Well that's basically our summer in pictures. It was low-key but jam-packed! More than anything this summer I feel like I just took it all in and enjoyed this time with my boys. I feel that more than anything I realize how short my time is with them and treasure each day to its fullest. That almost makes this big step into kindergarten that much harder because we enjoyed these long days together so much. I actually think that the one who is going to have the hardest time with school starting is going to be Nolan. He won't know what to do without his best friend, hero, and big brother by his side all day long. Open House is tomorrow night where we find out his teachers, class mates and all the other important info! Kindergarten here we come! Can somebody please pass the tissues....