Tigger Times

some news...

2009-03-19T10:34:00.002-05:00

Well, a lot has happened since I last posted. Nick has moved to a wonderful home with a full-time stay-at-home mommy and a really nice dad. There are no other kids in the home right now as they are in their late 50s or so. It is gonna be great for him to have so much one-on-one attention!

I do have one prayer request, though. Jennifer Poorman and I are in the process of beginning a new ministry at the church. It is an adoption and foster parenting support ministry. This will eventually entail more than just "gripe" meetings. We pray that there will be opportunities for foster families to receive their continuing education hours, networking resources, help with the legal system, an adoption fund and so much more.

The Elders are in the process of reviewing the information we have provided. The Poormans and Joshua and myself are meeting with the Elder Board on Tuesday, March 24th. Please keep us in your prayers that our passion and vision would shine through and that we would have clarity of speech. Thank you!

I would ask that you not spread this yet. If you manage to read my blog I think you are a close enough friend to actually pray and wait until we have the green light to pursue this further. I love you, my dear friends. Thanks for "listening" and praying!!!

not a lot...

2009-02-10T10:25:00.002-06:00

There's not a lot going on with Nick right now. He's settled down considerably...not crying much anymore.

There's another foster family interested in taking him...but it's up to CPS. We have a meeting this afternoon and will bring it up with his CPS caseworker then. Pray that she will be accepting of it.

I'm off to finish packing for our trip. Pray for safety! and a good time!!!

Nick

2009-01-13T22:48:00.002-06:00

Got Nick in daycare today. Working on Medicaid. WIC will have to wait until Medicaid is in place. He has a Dr. appointment on Monday. All that to say that things are moving along nicely.

He's adjusted pretty well so far. Bedtime went smoother tonight than last. Less than 10 minutes until he was asleep.

I'm asking you to pray that an appropriate family member will step forward to take him. His case seems like it will be a long one, and honestly, I don't know if I can take it. Family is important and he needs to be in a steady one. I really don't think his birth parents will be able to do all they need to do to get him back. My guess is that eventually he will go up for adoption. So, an aunt or other such relative that knows some about his family needs to get him and take good care of him, or he needs to be moved to a foster-to-adopt home.

More later...

new little guy..

2009-01-12T21:06:00.002-06:00

We got a new little guy tonight - Dominik. We will call him Nick, probably. He's almost 2 with sticky-up blond hair and brown eyes. Cute!

Pray for him as he adjusts to our family, and us to him. At the moment he's trying to go to sleep, but crying just gets in his way. :P

I'll post pictures in the next day or two...

the latest...and greatest

2009-01-10T00:05:00.002-06:00

Wonderful news...at least for Jack and the Smith's... parental rights were terminated on Jack's birth father Thursday. That started to 90 day clock for the appeal period, since birth mother's rights were terminated in December. At the end of those 90 days "we" will go before the Judge and ask her to grant to adoption then instead of waiting another 90 days (to give Jack 6 months in their home). Judge Clark would probably do it, but rumor has it that she's retiring soon, so this could be a matter for prayer.

Christi and I talk once or twice a week now, giving each other info. or updates. I'm glad that she and I were already friends! Jack seems to be doing well there, and he hasn't forgotten me yet, so I'm still content! I still have not cried so I'm guessing that danger has passed. He's been with them for 3 weeks already!

My kids are doing well. I'm so glad that school has started back!!!!!!!!! Routines are wonderful things, at least for my family. We are praying about all our schooling options for next year. We are supposed to have our decision made the middle of February for Christian Heritage, and who will be going there next year. This too could be prayed for...

Guess that's all for now. Thanks to the 3 people who read this :-P

looking forward to Sunday!

2008-12-30T17:33:00.002-06:00

Christi just called and asked if we would keep Jack this Sunday night and for however long I wanted on Monday. Yay!! (Pray for her..she has a Dr. appointment Monday morning.) That means I get to play with him and hold him and... Happiness!!! :)

Happiness

2008-12-28T16:21:00.002-06:00

I got to hold and play with Jack for almost three hours this morning. Due to Debbie's surgery I filled in for her in the baby nursery. During E & E he was the only baby. What fun I had with him. God is so good...I think that He honored my helping out by allowing me that special time with just Jack!

He looks good...they are taking such good care of him. He's still his happy-go-lucky self. What a blessing!!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-26T15:47:00.003-06:00

We had a great Christmas! How about you?

Jack came over for several hours. We ate and opened presents and played! He was so sweet, letting lots of people hold him and love on him. It was great!!!

Jack's first Christmas

2008-12-23T11:38:00.002-06:00

I'm so happy that we get Jack for a few hours tomorrow! He'll be here while we eat and open presents with Joshua's family.

So far the adjustment has been good for everyone...maybe hardest on Caleb. Please continue to pray for him; he's accustomed to being the only kid around their house.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas present

2008-12-21T16:54:00.002-06:00

When we got to church today Christi was looking into putting Jack in the nursery. They were closed for the brunch so I got to take him with me. It's funny, 'cuz I really didn't hold him much...my kids kept taking him from me! But, I was sooooo glad to see him, and hold him and kiss his fuzzy little head today.

sunny Sunday

2008-12-20T22:39:00.000-06:00

I get to see Jack at church tomorrow!!!!!!! :D

bye, bye Jack

2008-12-18T21:37:00.002-06:00

Well, we got Jack moved to the Smith's home this evening. All the proper people were there to take care of the necessary paperwork and I was able to get him and his stuff settled in peacefully.

Thanks so much for your prayers! They will have a great Christmas and so will we. (We get him for a little while Christmas Eve!)

Tomorrow...

2008-12-17T17:59:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow...pray, pray!!!

poor baby...

2008-12-16T11:13:00.001-06:00

Jack has the worst little cough this morning. Please pray for him. He gets into little fits of coughing and ends up gagging. Otherwise he's his normal, happy self.

46 hours from now we'll be in court....

moody Monday

2008-12-15T08:31:00.003-06:00

Yesterday at church when I was getting Jack out of the swing I lost it. I ended up leaving the nursery - without him - in a torrent of tears! I managed to make it across the lobby to the ladies bathroom before I got loud, but it sure was embarrassing!! Sharie came and talked to me and got me calmed down. I was so surprised at the suddenness of the tears.

Thursday is going to be great! My Mom is going to court with me, spending the whole day with me really. CPS will come get Jack that afternoon and take him to the Smith's home. I'm hoping that we will get to spend some time with him over Christmas break, but don't want to barge in on their family time. We'll see...

I must get off the computer now and get some cleaning done. Pray, pray this week...

Fun Friday!

2008-12-12T16:20:00.002-06:00

Today started out a bit rough, but after Jack and I had an early nap it got better! My house is cleaner and Jack is spending the weekend with his new parents. I have a date-night with my Sweetie...and I'm so looking forward to it!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend...

2008-12-09T17:02:00.002-06:00

Well....next Thursday is the day. The day that changes two families forever. The day that, Lord willing, Jack's birth parent's rights will be terminated and he will go to his new parents' home.

This week I'm asking you to pray for all the kids involved. Caleb, Jack, Bonny, Cameron, Nehemiah and Patrick. Please pray for a smooth transition for them all. Thankfully the Smiths are planning to keep Jack at the same daycare. So, his transition should be very smooth...he's already accustomed to spending time with them. It's the older kids I'm most concerned for - especially Caleb. He's used to being the only kid there.

Thanks, again, for your prayers. I do appreciate them!!!

tearful Friday

2008-12-05T17:23:00.002-06:00

I was at the Mall today to see Patrick sing with the Kindergartners from his school. I ran into a friend from BSF who asked me about Jack and his case. I told her about it briefly then we both moved on. I was on my way to meet my Mom at a store and as soon as I saw her I burst into tears. This is definitely harder on me than I thought it was going to be.

Really! I have nothing to complain about...he's going to a wonderful home - friends, no less!! But, it's getting to the point where I can't talk about it or I have to fight tears.

I might be the one falling apart now, but my kids are going to feel it too. PLEASE pray for them.

Thankful Tuesday

2008-12-02T21:02:00.001-06:00

Thanks for all of you that prayed. Things are much better now. Jack will not be "staffed" and if all things go well, he will be moved to the Smith's home on December 18th. Please pray that this is so...

Please PRAY!

2008-11-30T20:32:00.002-06:00

I'll spare you all the details, but know that CPS is NOT doing what we want AND what the Judge said to do in this case.

Please pray that the 2 people that have fallen down in their jobs will get off their butts and get the paperwork going. Pray that the Judge will ORDER what she said to get done. Pray that I don't hurt someone. Pray that the Smiths are able to handle this with grace and forgiveness. Pray that Jack will not be "staffed". Pray that he is moved to their home ASAP!!!

PRAY!!!

super Saturday

2008-11-29T11:56:00.002-06:00

Daniel just picked up Jack for the rest of the weekend. There going to pick up their Christmas tree - as a family - tomorrow.

Joshua is taking Nehi and Patrick to our land to pick up our Christmas decorations, and I'm going to work for a little while. Bonny and Cameron are still off doing their thing(s).

Not much else to post right now...maybe I'll put some pictures of the craziness of our decorating later.

wacky Wednesday

2008-11-26T09:59:00.002-06:00

We got a phone call about 8:30 this morning telling us that Baby Jared's flight was changed and we had an hour until he got in to Shreveport. Joshua jumped in the shower and I jumped up to make his coffee and cut him some zucchini bread to take on the road. Now I have about 3 hours to finish preparing the house, and what am I doing??? Stupid Internet!!!!

Since I won't get to update tomorrow probably I'll let you know now that the Smiths and us are sharing Jack for T-day. It will be nice to not have the baby here while preparing the meal for 30ish people, but still get to have him around in the afternoon. Best of both worlds!

Continue praying for a smooth transition since Jack will probably go to there house week-after-next - for forever!

Randomness...

2008-11-25T13:43:00.002-06:00

Thankfully Jack is much better since using his antibiotic ear drops. He's back to his happy, busy self. I'm sure gonna miss that guy when he goes to his prospective adoptive home (Daniel and Christi Smith) on December 8th!

I'm almost caught up at work now...just have a couple projects left to do. It's nice to have a quiet office to get things done. Christy assures me that December is slow, so I should be able to maintain some sense of organization until the New Year.

Please pray for us as Jack moves on... We've been his family since he was 8 days old, and he's been our baby. The transition has gone smoothly so far with the Smiths keeping him a day or two here and there for about a month now. Continue to keep their family in prayer too. Caleb is showing some signs of jealousy, but hasn't been mean.

I'm thinking hard about whether or not to continue foster parenting. I'm too scared to pray about it right now. Maybe I should say "selfish". I love my job and don't want a new foster placement to interrupt it. Oh, and the whole "hole in my heart" thing about losing a baby...

severe Sunday...

2008-11-23T20:11:00.002-06:00

First, check out the new poll on the bottom right of the page.

Today started with a phone call letting me know that Jack, who had spent the weekend with Daniel and Christi Smith, was running another fever. He's had a fever off-and-on for a few days, some discharge from his ear, but not much fussing. I decided to go ahead and take him to the ER. He has a severe ear infection. I was so sorry that it had gotten that bad, but the poor guy hardly ever fusses so I didn't know!!

Then we went to the Morrill's for a birthday party for Gideon. That was a nice diversion. On the way home Jack fell asleep for the first time today. He and I went down for a nap and I slept almost 2 heavenly hours! Then I was awakened by a phone call from a friend who's newly separated from his wife. That was a severe blow we received a few days ago.

Please keep Jack in your prayers as he battles this infection...and me as I try to balance work, kids off school, Thanksgiving preparations for 30+ people and a sick baby.

Just learning...

2008-11-22T12:33:00.000-06:00

I just updated my profile. Learn anything new? Know something I didn't post? Tell me about it....

Trying out Tigger Times

2008-11-21T20:10:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to start a blog because I wanted to give you a look into the lives of a foster family and the inevitable transition.