Fostering

Hey everybody!

It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down to really blog and I’m sure you’re all very curious about our fostering experience. Firstly, we aren’t sure how long Paris is going to be with us – she was supposed to be here just a week (that was three weeks ago) because she needs to move to her home state. However, changing jurisdiction from Oregon to her home state has been a headache for the caseworkers as they try to get it done. They are hoping to finally get ahold of the DA in the other state on Friday and hopefully get things approved so this little girl can get to a family where she can stay for awhile.

I’ve been having mixed thoughts about whether I would like to be a foster family for more long term situations (months and years) instead of the “weeks” scenario that we did sign up for. Our certifier has been very apologetic since Paris is staying longer than she promised us, but we don’t want to take her up on her offer to move Paris yet again to another home before her big move. Our prayer for Paris is for God to protect her heart! We also pray that things will resolve quickly, that her new foster family will be skillful and loving, that she wouldn’t have to move very many more times, and that God would do a miracle in protecting her through this process of being uprooted over and over.

We are glad to be able to provide Paris with a loving home where she is safe and nurtured. She has shown signs of beginning to form healthy attachments, she plays well with Anna, and she has been a very easy kid so I am not really exhausted. It has been good for my “mom ego” to successfully take both girls to the grocery, on walks (we have a double stroller) and haul them around places. I haven’t experienced much that feels like walking into Albertson’s with a girl in each arm – both clean, dressed, and noses wiped. 🙂

I have been challenged when talking with people in public about my two girls. Paris’ story is private. Not so much to us as it is to Paris. It’s easier to understand if she were older… it is her personal story, short as it is, and as curious as people will be, it should remain private.

Here’s some different scenarios with the same question…
From a total stranger: “Are they both yours?”
Me: “Yep!”
Them: “How old are they?”
Me: “Almost two and two.”
Them: Funny look because they are so obviously genetically different
Me: “Have a good day!” as I walk away

From somebody we know, but not very well (church people): “Are they both yours?” or “Who’s this?”
Me: “This is Paris.” (Avoiding calling her a foster child, because it makes her sound “different” or “second rate” to herself… that is, if she understood me and the next foster child might)
Them: “Are you watching her for somebody?”
Me: (not sure whether to say that she’s ‘mine’ or say ‘yes.”) “I get to keep her for a little while!”
Them: That questioning look again
Me: “We are foster parents”

From somebody we know:
I hope you don’t ask.

It’s time to go watch a silly movie. More blogging later!