Second Class

We had our second class on Monday and it was fabulous as usual! I am so surprised at how honestly enjoyable these classes are. We got to meet the on staff counselor and hear his story and his interests and after talking about it, he really got me interested in attachment research on foster children. This is something I hope to study into further while we're on this journey. I've gotten very interested in behavioral sciences and children's psychology since we've started these classes. It has unearthed a passion for study that I wasn't aware I had. Children's brains are fascinating things.
This week in class we talked about the foster care and adoption experience and we role played a situation that featured a girl named Lillie. It showed us that even normal, well meaning parents can make a couple of wrong missteps and their world can come crashing down and boom, foster care is in play. It helped explain the positives in reunification as well. That is something that is a mindset that you just keep telling yourself is the goal. Next week we'll be talking about Losses and Gains and being a Loss expert. I'm looking forward to it, but I also think it's going to be very emotional. After reading ahead a little I saw we will be doing roadwork (homework) on dealing with the grief of infertility. Wow. That should be interesting.

Today I had to go thrifting for some final pieces for my Enid Hoopes costume for Legally Blonde (we open in 8 days!). I can't believe I've barely (if any) have mentioned the show. I guess there has just been too many other things going on for me to focus on it, but it's been a really fun show to be apart of and an amazing cast to work with. I've made precious new friends thanks to it. Enid has been a great role to experience. I'll actually be the first Enid Hoopes on stage in Alabama, which I find to be very very cool! She is certainly a big comic relief in the show and I don't usually get to play 'funny'. I feel strong in my performance, but it could (and will) get so much better (oh oh oh OH, much better). It's been fun to just let go and loose myself in someone so uninhibited.

While thrifting I also bought some books for Birdie. Okay, I say some, I bought A LOT of books for Birdie. Ranging from the complete collection of Winnie the Pooh (for $1.25 SCORE), to Dr. Seuss, to Aesop's fables and tons of others. I got a total of around 50 books and I only paid $18 for them. Birdie's bookshelf is going to be STOCKED! :) Our walk through was postponed so the house is still a mess but the room is getting closer and closer! I can't wait for it to be finished and to have a place for all of these wonderful things!

First Class

So we made it through our first foster class. We came home with oodles of paperwork and a bit of homework for next week, but more importantly, knowing even more this is what we are meant to do. We talked about assessing our own strengths and needs so we can then more easily be able to find the strengths and needs of the children we encounter. Notice I said needs, not weaknesses. Weaknesses can't be changed, needs can always be met. I think that is a very positive way of looking at things. We talked about how each action is linked to a feeling and that it's important that we try to understand what that feeling is and where it's coming from before we choose how to handle the action. Another thing they started us out on right away is the fact that as foster parents we have to remember and keep telling ourselves, this child will go home. I have them for now, but they will go home. Until the judge bangs the gavel terminating parental rights (TPR) and the option of adoption comes open, that child will be going home. That is the goal of foster care, to keep families together. That is something I'm sure I will have to remind myself every day, with every child. They will be going home. Randy and I are also reassessing our age range we will be willing to accept. I am most comfortable with small children, but he would like to branch out into older kids. I told him I'm willing to go to 6 years old. I feel like anything over that will be a little overwhelming for me. We are also taking in the possibility of siblings. Currently we've decided we would like a maximum of 2 children at a time for now. All in all I was very pleased with today's experience and I think Randy was as well. We have a great big notebook to bring back every week with our course material in it. Very official. I love stuff like that. You print out a bunch of stuff and stick it in an organized binder and I'm happy as a clam.
Ever since we started trying for a baby going on 20 months ago, it's always seemed like an unattainable goal. One that was frustrating and hurtful. Since we've started the foster care process I have felt such a peace about it all. A feeling of a greater plan, if you will. I truly do feel like this is where we are meant to be in this season of our life. In this part in our life's journey. I'm blessed to have a strong supportive husband sitting next to me in it all.
Next week we are talking about the foster/adoption experience and what to expect. So looking forward to it! :)