There's a New Kid In Town

 

Well, I definitely put this whole blogging thing on the back burner let this whole blogging thing go up in flames, didn't I? :)

 

It's been a while... and boy have things changed around here!

 

In a good, good way though.

 

Since my last post, we're now foster parents of the cutest little 3 year old boy.

 

He's totally stolen our hearts.

 

 

As of our last post, we had just completed foster training and were waiting on the licensing to be done. We got an email on Monday, April 25th that we were licensed foster parents.

 

And 45 minutes later, I got a call from our case worker asking if we were interested in a 3 year old boy.

 

It was that quick.

 

Our plan was to bring a baby into our home but boy did the Lord have other plans. We were sent an email about the little guy and there was just nothing that we could say "No, he just doesn't seem like a good fit." to.

 

We talked about it. Prayed about it. And slept on it.

 

And decided that we would love to bring him home.

 

So that Friday on April 29th, we went to pick him up.

 

And haven't stopped since. :)
 

 

No. Seriously, we've been going 100 mph since that day.

 
 

 

I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on him. We will call him "H" (for legal reasons, unfortunately, I cannot share photos of his face or his name).

 

I do wish more than anything that you could see his face because he's the cutest, most handsome little guy!

 

 

We knew a little bit about him before we met him:

 

-He had just turned 3.

-He'd had no structure.

-Hated strawberries.

-Loved scrambled eggs. (Same!)

-Loved Paw Patrol. (Had no idea what this was...)

-Slept and napped like a champ (HOLLA!)

 

 

To say we were thrown into the toddler stage is an understatement. And with a toddler that had never really been made to mind and kind of given what he wanted, when he wanted it. Nice.

 

But "H" has done AMAZING! With just under 3 months of structure and discipline, he has come so far. He's three, so he knows how to throw down if he doesn't get his way. But he is the most sweet-hearted little boy. He is very sympathetic and loving. And very inquisitive and extremely smart!

 

Both mine and Jeff's family love him. And I couldn't ask for more than that.

 

Everyone has welcomed him as though he's been here forever. He loves my dad and Grandma Brenda too. :) We have a lot of people that love him and I am truly thankful for that.

 

I just know that my mama would eat him up. :)

 

He saw a picture of my mom one day in my office and asked me who it was. I proceeded to tell him that it was my Mama and that she was in Heaven with Jesus.

 

His response... "I'd like to meet her one day."

 

Insert ugly cry here. I wasn't expecting that. But that is his personality.

 

Oh, my heart.

 

 

 

Also, he is Jeff's biggest fan.

 

He and Jeff have a bond already that I admire so much. I have said it many times, but I think the Lord knew Jeff needed a buddy like "H".

 

Speaking of Jeff... I knew he was a very patient person but he totally has this parenting thing down. I'll be the first to say, I am still learning a lot and learning to pick my battles. But Jeff just has a way of moving through the ups and downs so calmly. He's an outstanding dad. :)

 

 

 

I have been open about this foster journey, just because that's part of who I am with my life anyway. I don't hide much and I tend to share things that are near and dear to my heart through social media with my friends and family.

 

With that said, there are a lot of things on our foster journey that, legally, I cannot share. I will say that our hope is that he will be our forever son but we aren't sure at this time.

 

We are trusting in the Lord and know His plan is best.

 

 

In the meantime, I plan to update the blog more often. I want to have these blog posts and photos to look back on down the road. :)

 

 

Some facts on our little guy right now:

 

-He started preschool about 3 weeks after he came and he has done really good. His teachers tell us that he is well-mannered (we have worked on that since day one!) and a leader in class.

-He still hates strawberries.

-He still loves scrambled eggs.

-Loves ANYTHING super heroes.

-Loves Lily, our dog, but her... well, we've made a few small steps in the right direction.

-Loves animals!

-He loves sweets and I believe that he ate a lot of junk food prior. We are working through that and although we have not cut them out altogether, we've tried to implement healthier snacks and meals into his diet. He does love fruit (other than strawberries), so I am thankful for that.

-He is the happiest little guy in the mornings. Always wakes up smiling and is very chipper!

-We went on vacation in June and he got to see the ocean for the first time.

 

 

We're just taking this thing day by day and I really feel like we are in a good flow right now. He's settled in so good.

 

If we're being honest here, I have no idea what I am doing but I am doing the best I can. :)

 

 

 

Here's some snapshots of our life lately! Maybe one day I won't have to blur out his sweet face...

 

 

 

The day we went to pick him up. What I love most about this photo is the pure joy that you can see on Jeff's face. He cried the moment they brought "H" into the room. And I loved him even more in that moment.

 

 

First zoo trip with our buddy! He LOVED the zoo.

 

 

First day of preschool!

 

 

 

First time in the ocean... he loved it!
 



 

First major league baseball game! We went to see the Tampa Bay Rays while we were on vacation in Florida. I'm pretty sure his favorite part were the snacks. :)

Taking a little boat ride with our favorite Game Warden. ;)

Hanging out at the park!

First trip to the Smoky Mountains!

 Lastly, I wanted to say that Jeff and I have been overwhelmed with the love and support that we have gotten throughout this journey. It has meant so very much to us. The gifts, messages, prayers, advice... everything. We are beyond grateful.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Much love,

 

Dana

 

 

 

 

 



There's a New Kid In Town

 

Well, I definitely put this whole blogging thing on the back burner let this whole blogging thing go up in flames, didn't I? :)

 

It's been a while... and boy have things changed around here!

 

In a good, good way though.

 

Since my last post, we're now foster parents of the cutest little 3 year old boy.

 

He's totally stolen our hearts.

 

 

As of our last post, we had just completed foster training and were waiting on the licensing to be done. We got an email on Monday, April 25th that we were licensed foster parents.

 

And 45 minutes later, I got a call from our case worker asking if we were interested in a 3 year old boy.

 

It was that quick.

 

Our plan was to bring a baby into our home but boy did the Lord have other plans. We were sent an email about the little guy and there was just nothing that we could say "No, he just doesn't seem like a good fit." to.

 

We talked about it. Prayed about it. And slept on it.

 

And decided that we would love to bring him home.

 

So that Friday on April 29th, we went to pick him up.

 

And haven't stopped since. :)
 

 

No. Seriously, we've been going 100 mph since that day.

 
 

 

I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on him. We will call him "H" (for legal reasons, unfortunately, I cannot share photos of his face or his name).

 

I do wish more than anything that you could see his face because he's the cutest, most handsome little guy!

 

 

We knew a little bit about him before we met him:

 

-He had just turned 3.

-He'd had no structure.

-Hated strawberries.

-Loved scrambled eggs. (Same!)

-Loved Paw Patrol. (Had no idea what this was...)

-Slept and napped like a champ (HOLLA!)

 

 

To say we were thrown into the toddler stage is an understatement. And with a toddler that had never really been made to mind and kind of given what he wanted, when he wanted it. Nice.

 

But "H" has done AMAZING! With just under 3 months of structure and discipline, he has come so far. He's three, so he knows how to throw down if he doesn't get his way. But he is the most sweet-hearted little boy. He is very sympathetic and loving. And very inquisitive and extremely smart!

 

Both mine and Jeff's family love him. And I couldn't ask for more than that.

 

Everyone has welcomed him as though he's been here forever. He loves my dad and Grandma Brenda too. :) We have a lot of people that love him and I am truly thankful for that.

 

I just know that my mama would eat him up. :)

 

He saw a picture of my mom one day in my office and asked me who it was. I proceeded to tell him that it was my Mama and that she was in Heaven with Jesus.

 

His response... "I'd like to meet her one day."

 

Insert ugly cry here. I wasn't expecting that. But that is his personality.

 

Oh, my heart.

 

 

 

Also, he is Jeff's biggest fan.

 

He and Jeff have a bond already that I admire so much. I have said it many times, but I think the Lord knew Jeff needed a buddy like "H".

 

Speaking of Jeff... I knew he was a very patient person but he totally has this parenting thing down. I'll be the first to say, I am still learning a lot and learning to pick my battles. But Jeff just has a way of moving through the ups and downs so calmly. He's an outstanding dad. :)

 

 

 

I have been open about this foster journey, just because that's part of who I am with my life anyway. I don't hide much and I tend to share things that are near and dear to my heart through social media with my friends and family.

 

With that said, there are a lot of things on our foster journey that, legally, I cannot share. I will say that our hope is that he will be our forever son but we aren't sure at this time.

 

We are trusting in the Lord and know His plan is best.

 

 

In the meantime, I plan to update the blog more often. I want to have these blog posts and photos to look back on down the road. :)

 

 

Some facts on our little guy right now:

 

-He started preschool about 3 weeks after he came and he has done really good. His teachers tell us that he is well-mannered (we have worked on that since day one!) and a leader in class.

-He still hates strawberries.

-He still loves scrambled eggs.

-Loves ANYTHING super heroes.

-Loves Lily, our dog, but her... well, we've made a few small steps in the right direction.

-Loves animals!

-He loves sweets and I believe that he ate a lot of junk food prior. We are working through that and although we have not cut them out altogether, we've tried to implement healthier snacks and meals into his diet. He does love fruit (other than strawberries), so I am thankful for that.

-He is the happiest little guy in the mornings. Always wakes up smiling and is very chipper!

-We went on vacation in June and he got to see the ocean for the first time.

 

 

We're just taking this thing day by day and I really feel like we are in a good flow right now. He's settled in so good.

 

If we're being honest here, I have no idea what I am doing but I am doing the best I can. :)

 

 

 

Here's some snapshots of our life lately! Maybe one day I won't have to blur out his sweet face...

 

 

 

The day we went to pick him up. What I love most about this photo is the pure joy that you can see on Jeff's face. He cried the moment they brought "H" into the room. And I loved him even more in that moment.

 

 

First zoo trip with our buddy! He LOVED the zoo.

 

 

First day of preschool!

 

 

 

First time in the ocean... he loved it!
 



 

First major league baseball game! We went to see the Tampa Bay Rays while we were on vacation in Florida. I'm pretty sure his favorite part were the snacks. :)

Taking a little boat ride with our favorite Game Warden. ;)

Hanging out at the park!

First trip to the Smoky Mountains!

 Lastly, I wanted to say that Jeff and I have been overwhelmed with the love and support that we have gotten throughout this journey. It has meant so very much to us. The gifts, messages, prayers, advice... everything. We are beyond grateful.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Much love,

 

Dana

 

 

 

 

 



Life Lately... And a Lesson on Love

With doing a whole lot of hurry up and waiting in the foster process, I haven't felt like I have much to write about lately... hence the hiatus.

But we are nearing the end... and my case worker called today to let me know that our final packet was being sent to Columbia tomorrow. 

*Insert all the emojis with all the feels here.*

We are talking weeks, ya'll. Eek!!

So here's a little bit of our life lately...

After two Saturdays of foster training, it was nice to know that was behind us. I will say that training opened my eyes... and my heart... more than I could have imagined. I realize that there is a lot of heartache in foster care and the system doesn't always operate the way you think it should. 

But I realize that it can also be beautiful.

Jeff & I after training... our faces express exactly how each of us was feeling. 



One thing at the top of my to-do list has been getting the nursery/room ready. It is slowly coming along and I will share more when it is finished next week. It is tough not knowing what to prepare for... boy/girl? Baby/toddler?

I am extremely grateful to friends and family that have given me things and offered to help with anything that we need. I have said it many times but the support that we have received has meant so, so much to us.

Slowly getting the room ready! Thank you, Brittany, for the rocking horse!

Sweet Lily... she has no idea what is coming. :)

We celebrated Easter a couple weeks ago and it was nice to go to church with my grandparents and spend the day with family at the lake! The weather wasn't ideal but I love any holiday with my mama's side of the family. :)

Easter 2016



That's about it for life lately!


I am just trying to prepare as best I can for what is to come. I have prayed more over these last few months more than I think I ever have. I pray daily for children and families that I don't even know.


I wanted to share this because it has been on my heart lately...


One thing we were told from the beginning is that the goal of the state is reunification for these children. As a human being, I think that my heart naturally drops a little at the thought of that but I also realize that is selfish.

At the end of the day, I feel that if there is a family out there... a mom or a dad... that may just need some resources to get there life back on track, then I pray the Lord changes their heart and their path and they do just that.

We watched a video during training that stuck out to me so much and brought tears to my eyes. It also taught me a lesson.

It was about a woman with several children who had made bad decisions in my life and they were taken from her and placed in foster care.

She realized that she needed to change her ways and, with the needed resources, she got a job and began to better herself and her life. And I wanted to hug her.

I realize, it doesn't always end that way and that is where foster parents come into play. And if it's His plans for us to adopt, we will do so with open arms.

Our hope is that we will adopt from foster care but I have nothing but love and respect for someone who can come back from tragedy and change their lives for not only themselves, but their children. Maybe they just need someone rooting for them.

The Lord has really changed my heart on this. And for that, I am so grateful.

He is so, so good.


"My command is this: love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

Much love, 

Dana

To Our Future Foster Child(ren)

To our future foster child(ren),

We love you.

We don't know you yet but we love you so much.

Whether you are here with us for one day, one month or one year... or happen to be with us forever, we will love you the same.

All the days.

We know that the reason you are with us is not ideal. But we won't talk about that. We'll talk about your favorite cartoons, your favorite toys and the stars in the sky. We will laugh together, play together and pray together. And give lots of hugs too! 

We will pray for your mommy and daddy. We will pray that whatever comes of this, it is in your best interest. You are the one who matters.

Our hope is that you feel at home and spend your days learning, growing and laughing. 

We have so many people that we want you to meet. People that mean a lot to us that have prayed and waited for you too!

But there are also some that aren't here, that we wish, so much, that you could meet. :) 

You, kiddo, are so very loved. 

That Day

I want to say, first, how much I appreciate everyone that read my last post and all of the support and encouragement that we have received thus far. It really does mean so much to us and it makes this whole process a little easier knowing that we have that support from the people we love and care about. 

Thank you. Thank you.

 

I will never forget that day.

The day we found out that having our own children wasn't going to come easy to us. It was January of last year. 

 

Let me back up a little.

 

Jeff and I had been married for 6 years and although having children was always in our plan, we had just been going along with life. We were content, I guess.

Of course, I had always hoped and prayed that the day would come for us.

But it never did.

In the later months of 2013, we had learned that there may have been a possibility of us moving back home or at least closer with Jeff's job with DNR.

We had seriously talked about it. We hated to sell our home and leave all of our friends that had become like family to us in Rock Hill.

But home was where family was and we both knew that our parents weren't getting any younger. And my mom started having some health issues. I knew that I needed to be closer to her.

It was a hard decision for us. Jeff kept saying that he didn't want to "start over" in life at almost 30 but that it needed to be done. I was trying to help my mom and care for her from 2 hours away. So we decided it was best that we make the move.

Looking back, I am positive that the Lord had his hands in that move. I was able to keep my job because I work from home 99% of the time. What a blessing. Our house sold in 5 days on the market. And we were able to quickly find a rental here for the time being.

 I told Jeff the last night that we spent in our house sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor, that everything happens for a reason. I also told him that it would be good for me to be near my mama.
 

Boy, was she happy. She told everybody that "her baby" was coming home! :)

We moved in June of 2014. We got settled and took on a new life, so to speak. I joined a CrossFit box and life was pretty good. Jeff was getting used to a new territory and I was able to drive and see mama several times a week. We had some good times together. And it was nice seeing family more often and catching up with friends.

Come January, we started talking about trying to see why we had not conceived yet. We knew we needed to move forward with this. Looking back, it's something that we should have been concerned about earlier on.


I need to stop here and say that I asked Jeff's permission before writing this. I was skeptical about  sharing this but this is part of our story.


Anyway, I scheduled an appointment with my OB doctor and went in for my check-up. We talked about my concerns and we decided that I needed a physical and lab work done, to start. In the meantime, my OB doctor mentioned that Jeff needed to have some testing done as well.

We're all adults here... so you can imagine Jeff's face when I took the paperwork home with me. It gave clear direction on where he needed to go and what the testing would consist of... complete with step by step instructions.

I still giggle when I think about his reaction. If you know Jeff, you know that he is straight as an arrow. So you can imagine his reaction. But he went along with it. Of course, he had some jokes. #30yearoldkid

Fast forward to a couple weeks later, I had done my physical with my family doctor and had every blood test you could think of. Jeff had done his procedure and they had been sent to my doctor. I was on my way to my appointment that day to get all of the results. I talked to my mama the whole way there. I told her how nervous I was. And like she always did, she comforted me and told me "It will be okay. The Lord will take care of you."

I felt like I waited half a day for my doctor to come in. I know it was just the nerves.

My doctor came in and he sat on the exam table while I sat in a chair. He proceeded to tell me that all of my lab work looked fine, all of my exams checked out okay and he didn't see any issues. I was so relieved! I thought to myself, that maybe it's just timing.

He then said to me "Let's talk about your husband."

And my stomach sank just like that and I knew from the look on his face that he was concerned.

He told me that the test came back null because there was nothing to test. Meaning there were no sperm. He handed me the paper and I just looked at it, clueless as to what I was reading. I just stared at the paper.

He said that this happens sometimes but those tests were rarely wrong.

He said that he could refer Jeff to the best urologist in the upstate. And I sat there in complete disbelief.  Still barely hearing what he was saying.

"Do you want me to call your husband and tell him?", he asked.

I didn't know what to say.

I immediately thought about Jeff. I completely forgot about my feelings and wondered how Jeff would take this. I hurt for him in that moment. I wanted him to be there at that moment so I could hug his neck and tell him that we'd work through this.

And that I still loved him no matter what.

No matter what.

I decided to let Dr. Fox call him because I knew that I'd be a basket case. At this moment, I was still sitting there stone cold. Not knowing what to think or how to feel. Staring into space. Hurting.

I dialed up the number and handed the phone over when Jeff answered. Dr. Fox proceeded to tell him the test results and that he would refer him to a urologist. He mentioned that there were procedures that could be done to try and fix this.

And then he handed the phone back to me.

"I love you.", I said. "I'll call you when I get in the car."

He replied with "Ok.". I could hear the disappointment and frustration in his voice. And my heart broke again.

Dr. Fox gave me some pamphlets on the PREG group. And I went to his nurses office and waited on them to refer me to them so they could call me with an appointment. All I wanted to do was run out of there.

When I was done, I walked out into a waiting room full of pregnant women and newborn babies. And it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was hurt and mad. And the thing is, I hurt for Jeff more than myself. I kept thinking about what I would say to him. What do you say to a man at that time?

When I got to the car, I called Jeff and held it together as much as I could. We talked briefly because he was on his way to work. I told him I loved him. I asked him what was on his mind. He just said "We'll talk when I get home.", in a very short way. Tears filled my eyes and we hung up.

I was still sitting in the parking lot and I called my mama. We cried together.

Just like always, she comforted me.

"They can do something about this Dana. Just pray about it. And be there for Jeff. God will take care of ya'll."

I remember that conversation like it was yesterday.

I miss her so much.

I drove home that afternoon and don't remember much of the drive.

I remember praying. And asking for guidance. And praying for Jeff. And not knowing what to say to him.

But even in all of my heartache, I knew that we would be okay.

It is because of Him, we always are.



Much love, Dana