References

Wow, I sent in my paperwork to the DSHS last week with every intention of contacting the people I hadn't for references and come to find out...they already have their paperwork to do. I guess now I ask for forgiveness instead of permission. It is amazing how fast time can slip away as we are working on every aspect of getting our family's additions.

We are also working on spring...I was beginning to wonder if it would ever arrive.

No more training!!!

Oh, sigh of relief...no more "training" to become licensed. I received a phone call at 7 this morning from the state saying they got my packet and the fingerprinting appointment is on its way to us. We also received the name of our licensor, Irma. It will be fun getting to know her as we go through this process...she will be the one to do our home study and check up on any accusations that come our way through the CPS office. The social worker assigned to the child(ren) placed in our home will also be doing checks on us and our home if there are other accusations coming our way. Jason and I are now mandated reporters for the state. That means if we see anything that appears to be child abuse (in our opinion) we have to call CPS or 911 immediately. I was joking that the calls are going to be there about us already because of our recent trips to the ER with the kiddos. Hopefully there won't be more ER before we can adopt the children.

Rice Krispies

Josie and JJ decided that dumping rice krispies on the floor would make a great sand box while the weather didn't permit them some time outside in the sand. It amazes me that they can do so much while I take less than 2 minutes to use the bathroom. They even had some toys to play with in their pile.

Chuck E. Cheese

Josie and JJ finally filled their potty charts with stickers and we took a trip to Chuck E. Cheese last night to celebrate. They were really tired, but that didn't stop them from running between games and rides the 1 1/2 hours we were there. Josie would take a bite of pizza then run to play on something with a token...back for another bite and token when the game was over. They each got something special to bring home with them and remind them that they need to continue to use the bathroom if they want more prizes later. We had a great time and we are very happy that Josie wanted something enough to work for it!

2 down, 2 to go...

2 more Foster classes are done...2 to go. It was a long weekend and a lot of information is running around in my head. Not only from the state, but Stake Conference also. I went to the Saturday evening session and Jason took the Sunday one while I was at the Foster class in the morning. I took home the message that we need to pray more often alone, as a couple and as a family...being very specific and using JJ and Josie's names while we pray for them individually. Missionary work was also a very prominent message during the sessions.

Josie and JJ are feeling the effects of Jason and I being gone so much...today there has been a lot of craziness. They are pushing every button they know about me to see what will happen to them. I have run out of ideas to keep them distracted and entertained. Coloring, TV, wii, and just a ride to the Dr. to remove a staple from JJ's head is not doing anything to keep them happy today.

To top of the craziness in our home...it snowed, hailed and rained for a bit this afternoon. Yippee!!

One more Foster class down...

Woo Hoo!!! We completed one more class and there are 4 to go. We received a lot of information last night as we work toward expanding our family. We also received paper work and more paper work that we need to fill out. There will be finger printing to do and so much more, but we are ready for it.

It's March!?

Wow! Where did February go? If you haven't already heard...Jason and I are taking the lessons so we can become Foster Parents. We would like to have 2 more children so we are going to adopt through the foster care program. We would like children that are younger than Josie and JJ, but not really wanting an infant. We have already taken the CPR/1st Aid training that we needed and we have 3 more classes this week. The finger printing and background checks are coming up as well as the medical release. We will keep you posted as we progress toward the additions to our family!