We've been working on something....

So Keith and I have been working hard on a little project called 'fostering'.

I'll let that sink in...

Yes. Next week is our final class in our journey to bring foster children in to our home. We are excited, nervous, elated, but unequivocally positive that this is a good choice for us.

To say we have learned a lot in the last 3 weeks of accelerated classes is an understatement. These classes have opened our eyes to the ways this system works and it's amazing! After we finish the classes we will have 4 other classes (CPR,water safety, etc) and have to pass our home study. After that, we will be licensed. We opted for ages 0-3 because having not yet raised a, say 9 year old, we don't feel equipped for it yet. We chose an age we've already been through.

Some questions people have asked-

1) How can you even imagine giving a child back that you've been with for (can be years)

A) we have learned through these classes that the goal is to reunify them with their loved ones. They do not give children back unless the parents have completed their case work. When we have to let a child go, we can be assured they will be going back to a safe place

2) Won't you be sad?

A) yes, they even talk about the stages of grief foster parents can go through. We can take breaks if we need...but ultimately it isn't about US, it's about the child being loved, safe, etc

3) what about Bryce? What about children with very real problems being around your son?

A) First, we are hoping it teaches Bryce to be a compassionate and loving person that wants to help others. Secondly, they have parameters you can set so that you don't bring a child in to your home that you don't feel equipped to handle. That is our plan.

4) Will you still be trying for another biological child?

A) absolutely yes. Fostering is something Keith and I have talked about for a long time. If I become pregnant in the process, hooray! It will not deter us from fostering with the exception of the first few weeks after a baby is born. Fostering is not a replacement for 'if I can't have another'.

5) Will you be adopting any of your foster children?

A) if the child is adoptable... Maybe :)


We look to our family and friends for support through this. If I show up with an extra kid in tow, I am not allowed to talk of their situation, or even say they are a foster child. So you can just assume :) I am allowed to post on social media but again, not allowed to speak of who they are, what happened, etc.

We are so looking forward to opening our hearts during this journey.

It's been a while...again

So I am sure I've said this before, but I will be making more of an effort to update my blog. I want it to be the mainstay of my social media. I am sick of facebook to be honest. Not just political things (in fact political things don't bother me at all). I focus too much time and energy on who does what, who has what, who is hanging out with who, what am I not invited to, how many people did or didn't like something I posted. Vapid. Self-absorbed. Done.

I am taking some time out to focus on myself again. Once I did a 30-day stint away from facebook and it was glorious. No longer did I take 40 minutes to get out of bed because I'm scrolling. No longer did Bryce ask me to play with him and I said 'wait a minute I have to finish posting and I'll come'. No longer did I run in to objects because my nose was in a phone. I am at the beck and call of what *might* be waiting for me in my notifications. I'm tired of my phone being a need instead of a privilege. So facebook, I'm handing in my letter of resignation. It's an indefinite decision and could last 3 weeks or 3 years. Not sure.

Cons? There are many. I love seeing my childhood friends and their beautiful families. I also have several support groups that I belong to- pcos groups, parents of one and only children (invaluable resource group), and a couple others that I'm going to miss! So that is what has kept me on since I said I was leaving a couple weeks ago.

So on to other news. I'm on day20 of another whole30. I feel incredible and I hope it stays that way. My last whole30 I didn't do very well and lost almost no weight. This time I've stuck to it really well and I feel more energetic and can see a small change in my body. On day25 of my last whole30 I gave in and had a donut king donut...because...donut king. (If you haven't had one....go. now. They're open 24 hours)

This time is different for me. I have a motivation. The motivation will be revealed in due time (no I'm not pregnant). But I have a reason for sticking hard to my diet. I didn't even get a piece of my own darn birthday cake!

Speaking of birthdays...yep...I am now 34.... yikes! Mid-30's... Am I where I thought I'd be or wanted to be? Nope...but I've got a lot of life to live so... onward!

I hope I still have readers, I hope all is well. I'll be leaving facebook shortly (next few days)...

please stay tuned. I plan to have many adventures via my blog- and a LOT of recipes and healthy living guidance...