Type of Placement

In this post I answered what type of placement we were looking for in the sense of short term, long term, adoption, etc.  I want to answer another frequently asked questions about our placement choice:

How old do you want the child to be?  What sex?

Determining the answer to this question has been one of the hardest things we have had to do in this whole processes.  It has required us to look at our home, our own child, our lifestyles, everything...in a whole new way.  

The simplest answer is: Zero to Ten and we will accept sibling sets.

Age:

We chose 0 to 10 because while we would love to have a younger child, however, we know that many people want that age.  We feel that ten is a good max based on our age and Addilece's age.  Above ten is a deal breaker for us (for now).  We have no grandiose dreams that we will receive an infant or even a single child under 5 for that matter.

Many have thought we would only accept younger then Addilece.  However, Addilece is young enough that we feel its fine to bump her as first born.  I've said since she was little that she wasn't meant to be a first born, nor a last born.  She loves following kids older then her around but would also make a great big sis.  Also, accepting two or younger pretty much guarantees that we will NEVER get a placement.  (That is exageratting, but it would be very very hard.)

 Siblings:

Tony and I have a heart and passion for sib sets.  I hate to think of these kids being split because people don't want two (or three or four).  Will jumping our family from one to three (or four) be hard?  Yes, but we see it take place in the adoption world all the time.  It's possible. 

Tony believes we are going to take a sib set of three with two boys and a girl.  That is what God has layed on his heart.  We will see how God works things out. 


There are numerous other factors that we also have to consider.  I won't go over these at this point because at this time we've said, "no we can't accept that" doesn't mean we won't accept that child in the end.  Those issues may also come out after the child is in our home.  There are also things we can't accept due to our home.  A child in a wheel chair is an example of this.  We have too many stairs and no bedrooms on the lower level. 

Picture Perfect: Wagon Ride

On Tony's side of the family their are four girls between 2 1/2 and 4 1/2.  It means a LOT of personality, a LOT of fighting, but also a LOT of fun!!!  And yes, they did all ride around in the wagon together.

And just for fun....all seven of the grandkids together!

Picture Percect: Beautiful January

The last day in Jaunary was absolutely gorgous.  And I had just gotten a new camera (a birthday gift from my hubby).  The park is where we headed to enjoy the day.

Goal Update

It is the end of the month so it is time to check on our goals.  I can't believe one month is down, 11 more to go.

1. Have Addilece finish potty trained at nap and night time:

Progress: None

2. Build our savings and emergency funds back to where we would like them and leave them there: 


Progress: We have saved 30% of our savings goal.  We also purchased two mattresses and put new tires on the car.  Not bad with the other big expenses we've had.
3. Put an extra $3000 toward school loans




Progress: None

4. Spend two weekends/overnights together as a couple: 


Progress: My wonderful husband surprised me with a weekend together this past weekend.  It was a birthday treat.  Isn't he amazing.  So we are 50% done and completed within our time frame of first one before June.
 
5. Finish our wedding scrapbook and start our family album: 

Progress:  I did get some pictures ordered for the family album.  I went to do some work on our wedding scrapbook and realized I had no adhesive.  So I didn't get any scrapbooking done this month.  I will need to scrapbook twice next month to make up for it (after I buy adhesive).
 
6. Do Bible Study more regularly as a couple: 

Progress:  We've been spotty still.  We are working on getting into a routine.
 
7. Feel healthy: 

Progress:  We are working out on a regular basis.  I've lost a few pounds and we can feel our bodies getting back into shape.  We are much better then we were a month ago.  However, we wish the progress would be quicker.
 
8. Have  more homemade and less store boughten products in the house: 


Progress  We made homemade febreze, which we love.  I cleaned the stove with baking powder, which worked wonderfully.  This next month I would like to make homemade maple syrup and  shower cleaner.

9. Have Addilece understand (be able to verbalize) the gospel message:


Progress:  She knows that sin is "bad jobs" and can give you a list of who sins.

10. Be more diligent about Addilece's Awana (first) and school (second). 

Progress:  We are getting better.  I have school planned for the next several weeks and we have been working on our Puggles (Awana).

You CAN Help: Become a CASA

I started a series on practical ways in which you CAN help and you CAN make a difference in the orphan crisis.  I'm a firm believer that taking care of orphans is a mandate for the church, not a suggestion or a guideline.  However, I believe many do not feel called to foster or adopt and are not sure what to do.  In December we looked a having A Wise Christmas.  Now I want to talk about being a CASA.

What is a CASA?

A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate.   CASA's are appointed to foster kids to be their advocate.  They are there for the kids and the kids only (and will be the only person in that court room that is there for only the kids).

What does a CASA do?

A CASA will be given a court order that will allow them access to any information they want.  There job is to talk to the many different people (teachers, birth parents, foster parents, doctors, counselors, etc) involved in these kids lives and figure out what is truly best for the children .

How much work is a CASA?

Being a CASA is not easy.  They take one case at a time and those cases can take a year or two.  Initially a CASA has meetings about once a week and as things settle and decisions are made it may only be once a month.  It is a time commitment, but one I feel is well worth it!

How great is the need?

The goal of the courts is to have one CASA per case.  However, there are just not enough to go around.  In our county we have two supervisors with 30 CASA's per supervisor.  Our judge determines which cases need a CASA most.

What do I need to become a CASA?

First you will need a heart that desperately loves these kids.  You need a little bit of time and flexibility to your schedule.  You'll have to do some pretty intense trainings (I believe its 40 hours worth), and on going training.  You'll also need a little bit of thick skin.  You are the advocate for the child and only the child, which means you may make others (birth parents and foster parents in particular) upset.

CASA's typically have a lot of say in the case (in our county the judge agreed with them 92% of the time).  This is a way to make a BIG difference in the lives of children.  You will be able to see things that no one else can see.  I know a few CASA's and they are pretty incredible people!  I know God has His hand on them as they wade through their cases.  I pray that if we get a CASA they will be as incredible as those I know.

To learn more about being a CASA check out their website.