I got a call today from someone at the school division ~ she's new there, and had landed on Brenden's file, and noticed he'd been referred for an assessment that was withdrawn. (This all happened quite some time ago, and i think i blogged about it ~ altho perhaps that was on an older blog?? ~ so in summary, when we heard they were only prepared to do an assessment like the one they had done previously, and we'd be no closer to a diagnosis, we said forget it). So this wonderful lady looked at his file, and wondered about all of this. She offered (only if we are still interested) to do an assessment and "possibly/hopefully" get us a diagnosis and work with us!
YES! We are interested! We had given up pursuing the diagonis (having tried the school system several times, and looking at a few other options that didn't materialize either) and were moving on ~ having decided (again) that we don't "need" a label in order to address the issues (at least not with the Hope Centre).
I'm rather surprised that someone just"landed on this file" and cared enough to take it upon herself to offer help... I think it's another God thing!
So we'll be writing up a new referral/request thing (they expire after 1yr. and that was October ~ lol). And then she'll be trying to set something up for us (and I don't think we'll have the months and months to wait ~ she knows he's waited long enough).
Wow!
Babysitting ~ i had the 5 all day (with the 6th one coming after school), and it will be a little bit of an adjustment. Janique LOVES that baby ~ lol ~ i didn't get to hold her until Janique left for clubs (she and Darwin are helping my sister with an after school Bible club program). But that'll work out ok, as she's learning to care for babies, and i'm more free to do program with Brenden. Of course Janique will still need to get her school done, but i think we'll figure out a way to make it work (lol... maybe she'll be more motivated to get her school done earlier if she has to do that before she can hold/play with the baby ~ she day dreams WAY too much while doing math). I decided this morning that i wasn't going to push for a regular school/program routine today, and just give us a bit of slack. I'm glad i did (even though i didn't get much extra work done as i hoped i would).
k, time to get supper ready...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Babysitting... as i mentioned a few weeks ago, i was expecting this job to be done (except for one day a week) by now. Last week one day she said they'll need her until the end of November, and would i be ok keeping the kids longer?? Of course! Still been wondering what to do then... if i should look for more babysitting or not (and of course, the idea of taking in foster chidren is still there somewhere in my mind).
Well, the first family i babysat for (the one that started my babysitting jobs)... she's been on sick/maternity leave since February and was planning to take the full year off... i've watched her children from time to time since then. Today she asked if i'd be interested in babysitting 3 days/week or so ~ she's planning to take a part time job. Yes! Janique is delighted about having a baby to watch, and i'm just excited at God's provisions once again. (And i think He's telling me that it's not time to take in foster children just yet).
Oh, and did i mention... (no i haven't yet)... Jonathan finally asked about his "6-month raise" that he was expecting 2mos. ago. It had been entered wrong into the computer so now he'll be getting his raise, and back pay.
Just had to share how God continues to provide.
Well, the first family i babysat for (the one that started my babysitting jobs)... she's been on sick/maternity leave since February and was planning to take the full year off... i've watched her children from time to time since then. Today she asked if i'd be interested in babysitting 3 days/week or so ~ she's planning to take a part time job. Yes! Janique is delighted about having a baby to watch, and i'm just excited at God's provisions once again. (And i think He's telling me that it's not time to take in foster children just yet).
Oh, and did i mention... (no i haven't yet)... Jonathan finally asked about his "6-month raise" that he was expecting 2mos. ago. It had been entered wrong into the computer so now he'll be getting his raise, and back pay.
Just had to share how God continues to provide.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Just an update
We signed our homestudy update/addendum on Wednesday. That was exciting! We really have a wonderful social worker ~ it was good even just to connect with her again. Not sure how long it will take to get the updated paperwork to the right people/place, but there really isn't a big hurry since there are many families ahead of us still waiting for their referrals. Our referral is still months away. The referrals do seem to be coming again, and i'm just eagerly waiting to hear of some sibling referrals. Soon, i'm so sure it'll be soon!
Babysitting... i did say it'd "probably" be slowing down, right? I stuck that "probably" in there for a good reason ~ lol. It's been like that since i started (and i think my starting dates were like that too ~ get a date, and then it changes). So now it looks like til the end of November. I'm totally OK with that. I'm happy to keep babysitting. I was wondering already what i would do til "fill that void" if this job was going to be done. I can't get fostering out of my mind, although i still don't think it's practical at this time. Kind of funny... the other day my dad suggested that Jonathan & I, together with my sister and bil who are fostering already, should do a foster care home type thing together. Funny also, Jonathan was home that day because he wasn't feeling great, (and the kids LOVED him), and I got thinking it'd be kind of nice to have him home full-time and we could do child/foster care together :-) Interesting thought, but i don't think it'll happen (at least not any time soon??). (Apparently it's not a good idea to say never because often that IS what ends up happening).
So there's a little update again, and now i better check on my kiddos... i have 5 extras at the moment, and 4 more coming later (not sure if any of these 5 will have been picked up by then, but it won't be a big overlap anyway). It's been a long time since we've had this many extras, but it's going good. The youngest this time is 3, so no babies to watch out for.
Babysitting... i did say it'd "probably" be slowing down, right? I stuck that "probably" in there for a good reason ~ lol. It's been like that since i started (and i think my starting dates were like that too ~ get a date, and then it changes). So now it looks like til the end of November. I'm totally OK with that. I'm happy to keep babysitting. I was wondering already what i would do til "fill that void" if this job was going to be done. I can't get fostering out of my mind, although i still don't think it's practical at this time. Kind of funny... the other day my dad suggested that Jonathan & I, together with my sister and bil who are fostering already, should do a foster care home type thing together. Funny also, Jonathan was home that day because he wasn't feeling great, (and the kids LOVED him), and I got thinking it'd be kind of nice to have him home full-time and we could do child/foster care together :-) Interesting thought, but i don't think it'll happen (at least not any time soon??). (Apparently it's not a good idea to say never because often that IS what ends up happening).
So there's a little update again, and now i better check on my kiddos... i have 5 extras at the moment, and 4 more coming later (not sure if any of these 5 will have been picked up by then, but it won't be a big overlap anyway). It's been a long time since we've had this many extras, but it's going good. The youngest this time is 3, so no babies to watch out for.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Some updates... here's basically a copy/paste from my adoption blog:
We've been waiting just over 5months now. Still doing well with the wait... sometimes i wonder if i'm even normal, but really, when i know there are so many families ahead of us still waiting for their referral, there's no point in getting up in knots about when it will finally be our turn. I'm guessing the wait might be more difficult as we get closer to the top of the "list" ~ perhaps?? Early on in this journey, when we shared with a couple (missionaries in Zambia) about our plans, he encouraged us to be open to what God might want to teach us along the way ~ to not get too caught up in the wait (finish line) to see what God is doing here and now along the way. I don't remember exactly what he said, but it was something like that. Wise advice that we haven't forgotten... and God IS still working in our lives.
From a practical point of view too, we have plenty to keep busy with ~ and we are trying to maximize this time to help Brenden with his special needs as well. Program is going quite well with him.
Babysitting will probably be slowing down some in the next few weeks. The lady i babysit for has one week of full-time left, and then she'll be down to one day/week. (Apparently anyway ~ things don't always actually end up as she says ~ lol). I've wondered about whether or not to look for more children to care for... not sure yet. I still haven't completely put the idea of foster children out of my mind ~ but Jonathan & the kids still don't seem very interested, and it probably doesn't make sense to start now, not knowing when we will get a referral, and not wanting to disrupt a placement, but wanting to be able to give 100% to adoption when the time does come. By the time we get through the required training... well, really there are probably enough good reasons to not pursue it at this point.
In an effort to de-clutter, i dug up some boxes that have been in storage for a long time. I'm not sure if you could call me a pack-rat for this, or just a bit sentimental, but i've saved many of my letters and notes from Bible school days. That among other "memories" from my growing up years. I read a few of these, and had a brainwave... one box (i think) is just letters/notes between Jonathan & I, so i've brought them up to our bedroom, and now every night (almost every night) we're reading a few of these notes and letters. It's been fun reliving those memories...
Oh, right... we heard back from our social worker on Friday night. She's ok with doing the update for our revised request. We're planning to sign this next week. Our request is for a sibling group between 6 months to 6 years with at least one female. Preference for the older child to be female unless both children are under 4 years, then no preference who is older.
Last week when i wasn't feeling the greatest, i was having some anxious thoughts about the changes, but i'm so much more at peace about it again. It's kind of crazy how i allow my emotions to be affected by how i'm feeling ~ i think this is an area God is trying to teach me to live above/beyond my circumstances (think "through/past" the "feelings" and live in the reality of life in HIM).
Ok, i AM getting somewhere today, so i better try to keep up the momentum ~ i'm actually cleaning out this room of all the stuff that's basically in "storage" in here. I'm hoping to make it a more functional room (besides just "computer room" ~ and at that, almost a maze to get to the computer). I'm not babysitting today (they had an appointment today so i got the day off)... so trying to maximize again :-)
We've been waiting just over 5months now. Still doing well with the wait... sometimes i wonder if i'm even normal, but really, when i know there are so many families ahead of us still waiting for their referral, there's no point in getting up in knots about when it will finally be our turn. I'm guessing the wait might be more difficult as we get closer to the top of the "list" ~ perhaps?? Early on in this journey, when we shared with a couple (missionaries in Zambia) about our plans, he encouraged us to be open to what God might want to teach us along the way ~ to not get too caught up in the wait (finish line) to see what God is doing here and now along the way. I don't remember exactly what he said, but it was something like that. Wise advice that we haven't forgotten... and God IS still working in our lives.
From a practical point of view too, we have plenty to keep busy with ~ and we are trying to maximize this time to help Brenden with his special needs as well. Program is going quite well with him.
Babysitting will probably be slowing down some in the next few weeks. The lady i babysit for has one week of full-time left, and then she'll be down to one day/week. (Apparently anyway ~ things don't always actually end up as she says ~ lol). I've wondered about whether or not to look for more children to care for... not sure yet. I still haven't completely put the idea of foster children out of my mind ~ but Jonathan & the kids still don't seem very interested, and it probably doesn't make sense to start now, not knowing when we will get a referral, and not wanting to disrupt a placement, but wanting to be able to give 100% to adoption when the time does come. By the time we get through the required training... well, really there are probably enough good reasons to not pursue it at this point.
In an effort to de-clutter, i dug up some boxes that have been in storage for a long time. I'm not sure if you could call me a pack-rat for this, or just a bit sentimental, but i've saved many of my letters and notes from Bible school days. That among other "memories" from my growing up years. I read a few of these, and had a brainwave... one box (i think) is just letters/notes between Jonathan & I, so i've brought them up to our bedroom, and now every night (almost every night) we're reading a few of these notes and letters. It's been fun reliving those memories...
Oh, right... we heard back from our social worker on Friday night. She's ok with doing the update for our revised request. We're planning to sign this next week. Our request is for a sibling group between 6 months to 6 years with at least one female. Preference for the older child to be female unless both children are under 4 years, then no preference who is older.
Last week when i wasn't feeling the greatest, i was having some anxious thoughts about the changes, but i'm so much more at peace about it again. It's kind of crazy how i allow my emotions to be affected by how i'm feeling ~ i think this is an area God is trying to teach me to live above/beyond my circumstances (think "through/past" the "feelings" and live in the reality of life in HIM).
Ok, i AM getting somewhere today, so i better try to keep up the momentum ~ i'm actually cleaning out this room of all the stuff that's basically in "storage" in here. I'm hoping to make it a more functional room (besides just "computer room" ~ and at that, almost a maze to get to the computer). I'm not babysitting today (they had an appointment today so i got the day off)... so trying to maximize again :-)
Monday, September 29, 2008
17 Years!
Jonathan & I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary this last weekend. It's hard to believe we've been married that long already ~ it's been a wonderful 17yrs. though!
Saturday night we went to Saba's in Saskatoon. At first we had planned on going to another place closer to home ~ we have some coupons for this place and thought we might as well use them (and try out a new restaurant ~ new to us anyway)... but long story short, the coupons stayed home. So we decided to go to Saba's ~ African cuisine. It was good! And a nice evening out.
Then yesterday after church, my sister invited us to go out for Chinese buffet (like their whole family and our hole family)! What a huge blessing/treat! We loved it. Of course, they have SO much food selection (including western) that everyone found more than enough food that they enjoyed. At suppertime we still were not hungry.
Saturday night we went to Saba's in Saskatoon. At first we had planned on going to another place closer to home ~ we have some coupons for this place and thought we might as well use them (and try out a new restaurant ~ new to us anyway)... but long story short, the coupons stayed home. So we decided to go to Saba's ~ African cuisine. It was good! And a nice evening out.
Then yesterday after church, my sister invited us to go out for Chinese buffet (like their whole family and our hole family)! What a huge blessing/treat! We loved it. Of course, they have SO much food selection (including western) that everyone found more than enough food that they enjoyed. At suppertime we still were not hungry.
Friday, September 19, 2008
blogging break
Wouldn't it be nice to have the house to myself for a week? Do i really think i'd get done all that i keep thinking i might get done if i no other responsibilities?? But the reality is that it's really not an option... at least not the best option. Primarily, Brenden's program needs to be consistent ~ we were reminded of that at his follow-up appointment yesterday. Just Brenden & I made the trip out to Quill Lake yesterday ~ a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. It was good... a nice drive, good to have the assessment (because i don't see as much progress "day to day" as they will see in the actual evaluation after 4-5months), nice to hear the encouragement, but i knew there would be areas where we haven't been doing well enough. Goodness... for the money and time that we are putting into it, we better maximize the potential! Not to mention, i don't want to be doing this forever!!!
So the truth is, best case scenario, we stick to it diligently (as per schedule ~ i've got it all nicely written up on paper) and we get through basically everything on the list before lunch time (leaving only a few short activities for after lunch). Oh, and the part of the program that Jonathan does with him.
So Reagan is 10 since Tuesday! He's having a friend over to celebrate tomorrow... guess i have a cake to decorate yet, but it should be pretty easy (he wants a snowman cake like the one he did for the Gospel Echoes cake auction last year).
Still babysitting, and maybe it is still almost full-time?? I just take it as it comes and i think it's working out fine with homeschooling too. Might be a little distracting on kindergarten days ~ to bring J to school in the morning, pick her up for lunch, bring her back after lunch, and pick her up again after school. Not a big deal since the school is so close by... but if we keep this up for winter it could be a little more time consuming, etc. Maybe by then J can come/go with her "big sister" or maybe they'll take lunches then? or maybe their mom will be done work by then. (take it as it comes ~ lol).
I'm feeling a bit under the weather (and like a nap would be pretty wonderful today), but i've had my little blogging break and should tackle a project of some sort ~ hmm, computer room, bedroom, downstairs, kitchen, or any other part of the house??
but, Oh right... it's "snack time" (one of them was asking for a snack while we were still eating lunch... and i've heard a few requests since then too... it's about that time).
So the truth is, best case scenario, we stick to it diligently (as per schedule ~ i've got it all nicely written up on paper) and we get through basically everything on the list before lunch time (leaving only a few short activities for after lunch). Oh, and the part of the program that Jonathan does with him.
So Reagan is 10 since Tuesday! He's having a friend over to celebrate tomorrow... guess i have a cake to decorate yet, but it should be pretty easy (he wants a snowman cake like the one he did for the Gospel Echoes cake auction last year).
Still babysitting, and maybe it is still almost full-time?? I just take it as it comes and i think it's working out fine with homeschooling too. Might be a little distracting on kindergarten days ~ to bring J to school in the morning, pick her up for lunch, bring her back after lunch, and pick her up again after school. Not a big deal since the school is so close by... but if we keep this up for winter it could be a little more time consuming, etc. Maybe by then J can come/go with her "big sister" or maybe they'll take lunches then? or maybe their mom will be done work by then. (take it as it comes ~ lol).
I'm feeling a bit under the weather (and like a nap would be pretty wonderful today), but i've had my little blogging break and should tackle a project of some sort ~ hmm, computer room, bedroom, downstairs, kitchen, or any other part of the house??
but, Oh right... it's "snack time" (one of them was asking for a snack while we were still eating lunch... and i've heard a few requests since then too... it's about that time).
Monday, September 15, 2008
It looks like we might be doing part-time babysitting now... maybe?? Lol... we take it as it comes, but for now it looks like on days when J has kindergarten, their mom will stay home. So for however long she decided to do that, we'll have them 2-3 days/week. Of course, being a seasonal job, she might be done soon too. ?? Last week, we only had them one day. This week might not be much different since kindergarten is usually Mon & Wed. and i had to ask for Thursday off because we're busy that day (Brenden has his appointment with the Hope Centre).
I'm feeling just a bit under the weather today (& tired), and one of the kids got up with a bad attitude this morning... not a great way to start the day or the week! I think we're re-grouping, but i also think a nap might be a good idea after lunch.
Oh, strange thing... Janique had Coco outside this morning, and all of a sudden she's calling the boys ~ "Coco has a dead bird stuck in her ear (fur)." How does a toy poodle get a dead bird caught in her ears? Lol... i guess she was rolling around in the grass, and must have caught on the feet of the bird? Darwin got it out ok and I think Coco is getting a bath now (fun fun! ~ i'm just glad they can manage that without my help).
K, time to make something for lunch...
I'm feeling just a bit under the weather today (& tired), and one of the kids got up with a bad attitude this morning... not a great way to start the day or the week! I think we're re-grouping, but i also think a nap might be a good idea after lunch.
Oh, strange thing... Janique had Coco outside this morning, and all of a sudden she's calling the boys ~ "Coco has a dead bird stuck in her ear (fur)." How does a toy poodle get a dead bird caught in her ears? Lol... i guess she was rolling around in the grass, and must have caught on the feet of the bird? Darwin got it out ok and I think Coco is getting a bath now (fun fun! ~ i'm just glad they can manage that without my help).
K, time to make something for lunch...
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