So much has been happening here!! We finally have a scheduled ground breaking to begin construction on our house!! We should be starting this Thursday. We are praying for the weather to cooperate. There have been lots of storms and rain here over the last week. A temporary construction driveway has to be installed before we dig and if the rain doesn't let up, we may miss our date.

Bigger news: we are asking for anyone who reads this blog to pray that God will guide us in a very important decision we are facing. We have had two foster sons for almost a year now. "Our" plan was not to adopt, but to be a safe place for kids to stay until they were able to go back home with their parents. Nothing about this placement (which is our first) has been the textbook example. We brought the boys home, there was really not an adjustment period. Except for the fact that they didn't sleep much, they are very "normal" boys. No emotional, physical or academic issues. They are super smart kids.

Anyway, we really had high hopes for their parents. They both were doing so well at first and I thought for sure that the boys would end up back home. Unfortunately, the state has filed for permanent custody. We have some time to figure out what to do, but we have to start thinking about a decision. I can think of very logical reasons that are for and against adopting. I just want to make sure we are following God's plan, not ours. Please, please, please, pray for God to make His decision so clear to us that we cannot deny that it's His decision, not ours.

Thanks and many blessings to all,

Angel

Easter Egg Hunt

We had a great time at an Easter Egg Hunt today at church. A few weeks ago we were asked to pray about invited someone to church and instantly my boy's birth parents came to mind. I knew it would be an awkward situation and kind of hesitated on it, but I also knew I needed to do it. I talked to our SW and she said it would be OK to ask them. I called and invited them to the egg hunt and to church tonight (We've been going to our new Saturday service). They both showed up and we had a great time.

They said they may not be able to make it to church tonight because of gas prices and they just don't have much money. I am really debating on calling back and offering to give them a gas card. I know it was stressed in our classes to not offer money because it opens the doors up to be taken advantage of, so I'm struggling with what to do. I don't have a whole lot of time to think about it.

I really think that they are both very nice people, they just have to learn to deal with life. I'm really praying for them to make it!! I'm hoping that we can involve them more and more in what we do with the boys. I think this will help everyone when they get to go home, including me. I think if I can see how much they love the boys and how much they are trying, it will help me let the little ones go when it's time. I felt my heart soften a little today!!

Blessings,
Angel

Things are moving right along with the house. We are hoping to break ground mid May and be moved in before Christmas. We are so excited to have more space. We also made a big decision and told our social worker that we are willing to take another child. While we are here, we can only take a baby because of space issues, but once we move into our new house, we will take an older child, or two, who knows what God has planned for us.

I have really been thinking about our little one's parents. We were asked to really pray about inviting someone to church at our service a few weeks ago. Instantly their mom and dad came to mind. So, I asked the social worker about it and she seemed to think it would be OK. I called mom today. She said she would go. We have an egg hunt at church and we invited her and she was very interested. I'm a little afraid because I know it's going to awkward, but I think it's a step we need to make. We will invite her every Saturday or Sunday and even if she is only coming to see the boys, I hope she will really hear what's being spoken.

Please be in prayer for her.

Blessings,
Angel

I feel like I have neglected this blog, not that I have many followers, but still. I have been using Facebook more to keep in touch with family and friends. It's a lot easier to jot something down, a thought here, a thought there.

Sometimes I just want to write w/out everyone I know reading it, so here are my thoughts: I have had a stirring inside me for a few weeks now. I'm not sure what it is. I have a feeling that God is preparing me for something and it scares me because I'm not sure what it is. I feel a strong desire to seek him, but I'm not sure what I need. Please pray for knowledge!! I hate the unknown!!

Many Blessings,
Angel

I found out today that my little boys will be seeing mom and dad together tomorrow. They have only seen her a few time since they were placed with us back in July, but have been seeing dad on a regular basis for awhile now. Mom has decided that she has to get it together for her little ones. I've been praying for this and I'm supposed to be happy about it, right??? Then why did my stomach dropped while reading the email from the CW?

My head and my heart are fighting right now.

Claiming a Foster Child on Tax Return

Has anyone else had issues w/ this?? My two FSs were placed w/ me in July!! I just miss claiming them by a few weeks. Even though they still are living with me now. They have only seen BM twice since they have been with me. Even though I have been paying a portion of daycare for most of the year, I still can't even claim that because I cannot claim them as a dependent!!! I'm frustrated!! The sad thing is I don't think either parent had a job during 2009, so they will probably not be claiming them either.

Pictures from October

I think I'm allowed to post these because it doesn't show their faces.
Mason and Madisyn posing on a pumpkin
Big A playing in the corn box
Little A playing in the corn box

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

I hope everyone had a great CHRISTmas. We did. It was tiring, but we enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Mason and Madisyn are not so happy that school is back in session though. Our little foster boys had a great time. They fit right in at all four Christmas get togethers. It was probably a little overwhelming for them, but I think they still had a great time.

Now we have to begin our home building process. I still have mixed feelings about it. I will be so glad to get out of our tiny house and have room to move, but at the same time, I know that it will be a long stressful process.

I emailed our sales rep over the weekend to let her know that we are ready to get things rolling and didn't get the quick response that she had been giving me. I called yesterday and found out that she is no longer there. This new person is the 3rd rep that we've had in about a year. It makes me a little nervous. I don't know if this is normal or not for that industry. It sure is frustrating though.

Don't forget to visit my AVON site. The link is on the right side of this blog. And remember, 50% of all profits made from online orders will be donated to help a friend with an international adoption!!!

Many Blessings to all,
Angel