(Enter Jeopardy theme song)

I really  should just be thankful that my phone isn't ringing off the hook because there are so many kids in care. It was just such a hurry and wait, I didn't expect to go 3 weeks without a placement. On multiple local(ish) Facebook placement groups I've been letting them know I'm available if they have kiddos that are available to get placed out of the area. It's not too common that they're placed 2-3 hours away from family, but in some circumstances they are.
I'm also limiting myself by taking kids only in the range of 2-6... But I see kids in these Facebook groups needing placement. It's the one time I've hating living in a rural location. Guarantee I could have a placement if I lived further north or even along the I-5 corridor.
I'm finding that the foster system is a lot like the education system. It's not really set up for ease of access or success. I'm still new in foster so I don't want to say that it's broken, but I know there are many current and ex foster parents who would say that it is. Just like teachers (especially special education teachers), case workers have caseloads are far too big to manage efficiently and make sure that the kid's needs are being met. Obviously this isn't coming from experience, this is coming from reading other blogs, and speaking with fellow foster parents at training classes.
Different than the education system, the state provides FREE training for foster parents. I wish that the CEU's that were required to keep my teaching license up to date were free. I may be a millionaire if that were the case. I also learned yesterday that once you are a foster parent, even if you adopt, you can continue attending classes at no charge. NEATO!
Anyway, this vent session is over. I hope my next post is for welcoming a new kiddo. Cross your fingers for me!

Monkey reunited

I knew taking this lil dude was most likely temporary... Doesn't make it any easier. Today I was starting to see a lot of progress in him listening to me and being more responsive in general. However, I fully feel that with his family is where he should be.

I left a note for his social worker to pass onto his family as to how to get him evaluated for special education services. He was a blast while he was here. It was great to have him, I'm glad to see that I can do this parenting thing!

So, until I get another little one, I will sleep! Because I'm exhausted.

And thank you SO much to all of you who offered things to help the little guy (and me)!!

Welcome Monkey!!

I waited all of 6 days... It seemed like forever.

I was coming home from dropping my mom off at the Portland airport, driving over the Megler Bridge. My phone rings, pretend like a professional "This is Kristin", "Hey Kristin, this is (placement coordinator). Any chance you're able to take a little guy, just until we get a home for him and his sibling together?" #%&#*(*$*#@*()!!!!!!! .... KEEP COOL...

Me: "Yea, let's do it! What can you tell me about him." (remembering to ask for as many details as possible).
PC: "Literally nothing, just came in"
Me: Sure I'll still do it. (please don't be a mini ax murderer!)

We went back and forth for a while trying to figure out logistics.

I sped home to have Allyce (my coworker/friend/neighbor) help me get the car seat in.

I then zipped off to pick up my new friend.

He loves numbers. This kid can count. Puts Count Dracula to shame. Loves technology a little too much.

This could be a day or 2 thing, this could turn into a long term thing. We shall see! Either way I'm  having a blast. And so are the dogs. So much for them not getting human food.

Why fostering?

We're going to back track a little here and I'm going to personal, hopefully not too much though. I am almost 30, and to me that number means the end of the world. I believe it comes from growing up surrounded by people who were in a religion where they believed they were get married and have kids, ASAP. Although I wasn't a part of this religion, the need to have a family was slowly ingrained it me. In my "life plan" I said by the time I was 30 I wanted to be married with kids...  Fast forward 30 years and here I am, single with ZERO prospects, like, negative prospects... So being the Little Miss Independent that I am, I decided to go on this adventure solo. My mother raised me for most of my life as a single mom. My cousin did IVF and has a beautiful daughter. Might as well carry on the tradition.

I was also adopted. I've always felt that eventually I would adopt. I don't feel this need to give birth, it sounds tortuous actually. I had a unique situation growing up where I kept in very close contact with my birth family. I grew up feeling like I needed to be part of a huge family. I have a great family, an amazing mother, but my cousins are all a bit older than me. When my biological father passed away, I met a lot of my extended family, I saw little pieces of the whole. I could see where the chin came from, and the sarcastic, dry sense of humor. It's hard to think about NOT knowing my "roots". When I had a life threatening medical condition and was in ICU, the contact with my biological mother was invaluable.

Initially though, I'm not starting out foster to adopt. I need to see for myself that I can do this on my own. I know dang well it won't be easy. There's just such a need in this area for foster parents, even respite care (later post). I have more than I need, I can help a kid or 2 (or more) while I continue to figure myself out.

FOCUS

As much as I also feel the need to partner up and find my Mr. Right, I also have a pretty good sense of reality, and Mr. Right only exists in books written by Nora Roberts or Kristin Hannah. Romance books  should actually be called Fantasy... Mr Right = flying sparkly unicorn.

So here I am thirty-something days away from my 30th birthday, surrounded by more animals than one person probably should have. A kid should share this cool place with me!! An older kiddo would probably get more out of the animals but this is where I'm going to be selfish and set a bracket of ages 2-5. Even with the end goal of a child being reunited with their birth family, I can help provide routines and stability that that age of a child needs. Help lay a few pieces of the foundation...