CeLeBrAtE!

Tonight is our final PATH class... one step closer to becoming foster parents! We are so anxious and excited and nervous all at the same time!

I have started working on my autobiography and plan to finish it before 2010 begins, we are both off most of the week following Christmas so hopefully Shaun can knock his out as well.

A few other things we hope to do before 2010:
-make copies of all important documents needed for DCS binder
-get Nestle's shots updated
-complete monthly family income and expenditures form
-move furniture out of "spare" room to make room for children
-go shopping at consignment shops for baby bedding that is gender neutral
-look into logistics of creating pantry
-refinish baby dresser

FREEEEEDOM!!!!!

We did it!
We are officially debt free, but the house!
We are now saving to retire my 1995 Honda Civic, she's been faithful but she's tired. Praying that in about a year I can let her to rest!

God is so faithful... we are truly blessed.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

lots to do

We only have 2 more PATH classes left! I can't believe how fast time has gone and how much material we have covered.

We got our physicals out of the way last week and we are finally in the system for finger printing, hopefully we can knock that out one evening this week! We still have lots of copies of things to make and we found out that instead of doing a questionnaire we have to write autobiographies... no fun!

The room is still uninhabitable, however my parents have decided to foster my precious iron bed that I just refinished. My niece is currently sleeping on it, she appreciates the beauty of it and I appreciate that! We have a crib and changing table waiting on us to bring it home(thanks BJ&Emily)and a dresser that has been sitting waiting to be painted; it is currently housing all of the un-wrapped Christmas gifts!

I think that I have decided to make a book shelf out of rain gutters to go on the wall above where the changing table will go. This will allow the pictures on the front of the books to be decor for the room, and make the books more appealing to children. I KNOW that I have decided to cut a hole in the wall in the kitchen to make a small pantry, Shaun still needs some convincing!

We have a few more big things to get rid of, i.e. the roll to the sink dishwasher that never gets used and my beloved vintage modern table that is used as a makeshift island. The dishwasher is free for the taking and I am considering listing the table, that would seat 2 perfectly and 4 a bit awkwardly, but could better be used as a desk on craigslist.

I am also still debating on what to do about the bathroom... medications and cleaning supplies have to be under lock and key and the most logical place for these things to be seems to be the bathroom. This means we need a new(cheap, possibly used) vanity and high cabinet that could be used for linens and other storage.

Ok, I have to stop thinking about this because I get overwhelmed with ideas and nothing gets done.

Frustrated

Please pray for me. I am getting very frustrated with DCS, we have been trying to get our finger printing done but they still haven't entered us into the system! I have called and left messages and sent emails to the person in charge but she will not respond... I don't want to be a pain but I am anxious and we hope to complete the licensing process quickly, there are some specific time frames that we have to get things done in.

A few minutes ago I called and left a VM for the lady we initially spoke with at DCS because I am getting discouraged and she just called me back... She told me that the lady who I have been leaving messages for has been sick, however I know she has been in the office because she has communicated with other people in our class. She is going to fax me the form that she needs to enter us into the system. This means we will be filling it out for the second time but at least there has been communication!

Praying this now open line of communication will remain open...

$ tuna $

Monday, Wednesday and Friday of most weeks I sit at my desk during lunch, eating tuna and crackers and listening to Dave Ramsey.

Financial chaos is a nightmare for me, one I have been blessed to fear and not live. God has provided for me in some amazing ways! I remember being very upset with my parents for not signing for me to get student loans, therefore all I could get was federal Stafford loans. I worked hard during college to pay for school and life and with the help of my parents I was able to escape with a little under $20K in student loans. A lot of people lived on loans during college and now more than ever I appreciate what my parents did for me!

I am a huge nerd, seriously, I have a color coded budget spreadsheet and I already have a plan for every dollar we hope to earn in 12/10! I have an amazing husband who has been sacrificing with me as we attack this debt and I am very happy to say that we are well on our way to being debt free but the house!

I love listening to Debt Free calls on DR and can't wait until we get to make ours(praying about the first Friday in December)!

† Pray †

Excited about a possible job opportunity for Shaun! It's been time for change for a while now, and he is definitely motivated! Praying for God's wisdom and guidance. I am faithful that something will come of this but uncertain as to what. Asking for God's peace and courage for both of us, as we are facing many changes in the not so distant future!

precious gift

We found out yesterday that our friends, the Holdens, are pregnant! They have been trying to get pregnant for a very long time and now they are! We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet their little God send!

the journey

This journey began a long time ago, honestly I can’t quiet remember when. I have thought about foster parenting for a long time, maybe because in the back of my mind I have always wondered if I would be able to have children. I have heard stories of how I was “experimented on” as a child, having multiple operations for herschsprungs disease has left me scarred and scared. I realize that all of that was part of God’s way of preparing me for all of this!

God placed this desire in me a long time ago and has been shaping my heart for this!

Shortly after Shaun and I met we were more than friends, whether we claimed it or not we were in a relationship! Early on I began pouring my heart out to him, explaining that I knew this was a road that God would lead me down. His reaction wasn’t typical in that he continued investing time in a relationship with me. It didn’t take me long to realize that this was who God planned for me to take this ride with!

Of course we’re scared; terrified may even be a better word to describe our feelings right now! But we aren’t naive either, we know every child that is placed in our home will not be a perfect angle, we may even be blessed with the opportunity to make an impact on the life of a child who has been abused or neglected. God never promised that His desire for our lives would be easy, but we have faith in the fact that He is with us and if we remain in Him, He will carry us through the rough terrain.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.- Jeremiah 29:11