“Mommy, I can’t find a skin-color crayon.”
When my 4-year-old son, Robert, spoke these words a couple months ago, my heart froze in place for a moment. Continue reading →
Using pain to change hearts
As foster and adoptive parents, we are no strangers to pain — our own and that of our children. We live and breathe it far more often than we would like. We recognize that our children’s pain is their trauma and is part of their story, and that it is often part of the healing process. We understand that pain is part of walking this journey Continue reading →
Giving up perfect
When we became foster parents, one of the most daunting parts was the feeling I needed to be perfect. No one ever imposed this on me – it was my own, unrealistic idea. When I think back to our first years of home visits, I can’t help but laugh. Continue reading →
Saying goodbye to foster children with gratitude instead of grief
It has been eight weeks since our most recent placement left our home and went to live with his dad. Some days it feels like just yesterday, other days it feels like forever ago. The clothes have been washed, put away or returned to friends, the bed has Continue reading →
Done fostering? Maybe. Done engaging? Never.
Seven years, six placements, three adoptions, four kiddos we’ve provided respite care for … these are the numbers that reflect our time as foster parents. Yet our time in foster care is so much more than just numbers.
Our time as foster parents has opened our eyes to those around us who hurt differently than we do. Our time as foster parents grew our family in ways we never imagined Continue reading →
The most important school supply of all
Betsy’s adopted son, Cooper, and his teacher
Back to school … three favorite words of parents everywhere. Supply list … two dreaded words that find parents combing the aisles in search of that one color of folder that doesn’t exist. Yet in that long list of pencils, pens and folders, the most important Continue reading →
Foster parents need each other to lean on, learn from and build up
Recently, at church, the big idea of the sermon was the idea that when we encourage others, we in turn become encouraged. Just that morning I had reservations to a “pity party” for one and was focused on my need for encouragement … basically what Continue reading →
When is the right time to do treatment foster care?
The first time I heard my son’s name spoken, my heart leapt. It was a deeply spiritual moment, as if his name had been indelibly stamped on my heart, and I just knew he was meant to be ours.
My husband, Jordan, and I were brand new parents when Robert came into our lives. Our biological son, Rainor, was 3 months old. We were overwhelmed with the new Continue reading →
Foster moms: The power of you
Dear foster moms,
Thank you … YOU … yes YOU … each and every one of YOU.
YOU, who feels weary and is just trying to get through the day. YOU, who feels guilty because you “think” you are getting this wrong. YOU who doesn’t want to take one Continue reading →
The gift of saying ‘yes’ to foster care
Charlotte is holding the sweetest Mother’s Day gift she ever received (photo credit: Joy Prouty).
She was my Mother’s Day present.
My husband, Jordan, had planned to send me away for a whole day to myself. Our three very young boys, one adopted through foster care and two biological, were a Continue reading →