here is what I now know...

NOTHING

well sort of nothing.

I am one of a few options.  Because 2/3 of the sibling set already live with me may or may not work in my favour. The kids are all ready with me but have not been for all that long.

So, they will evaluate the information that was collected from me today and will meet next week and go from there. A very LONG process. Things may or may not be settled by the end of the month. Hopefully they will.

Limbo sucks.

My worker knows me and my abilities. She just has to make that reflect on paper. Because in all reality, I am a single mom.

So, maybe an update by next week...but when it comes to these agency type things, there is NO speed...

filling the gaps...

The more I interact with T the more I see that there are gaps. Gaps in his development. Gaps in his life.
For example yesterday:
I put T on a bicycle with training wheels. He didn't come with a bike and said he had never had one before. He sat on the bike and started complaining that it wasn't working. He just thought it would go. So at 5 years old he is having to learn to pedal. A very frustrating thing for him. I had to physically move his feet one at a time in the right direction to get him going. He progressed to being able to push the pedals for a couple of cycles and then his feet would automatically go in the opposite direction and come to an abrupt stop. Which frustrated him to no end. He would yell that there was something wrong with the bike.
He will just need practice to get used to having his feet go round and round continously. We've practiced twice yesterday. We have to keep it short as he gets frustrated easily. We go a couple of blocks away to a paved church parking lot. We were going to go to a third time but he drove off the sidewalk and broke a plastic part of one of his trainingwheels.
I got a new training wheel for him this morning so maybe we will get a chance to practise again tonight

the update that means????

I got an email today after the meeting:

Hi Amy –

Sorry for the email but I am rushing out the door.

We met today to discuss your plan related to the children.

We would like to assess that further with you, including looking at having the baby come for visits.

I am away until May 7 – could we look at meeting May 8 @ 1:30 to discuss further?

Let me know.

Thanks!

as to what it means....I am not sure. I think I am still one of a few options....

Meal Plans week 3 & 4

Suppers Week 3

Monday
Sausage Burgers (link at week 2) and garden salad

Tuesday
taco bowl

Wednesday
Roast Chicken and Sweet Beet Citrus Salad

Thursday
veg pizza & caesar salad

Friday
ham pot pie pockets (link at week 2)

Saturday
spagetti & garden Salad

Sunday
eat at my parents :)

Suppers Week 4

Monday
Sausages & Perogies & Cabbage

Tuesday
Pad Tai Rice Wraps

Wednesday
beef chimichungas

Thursday
pumpkin mac & cheese (link on week 2)
peas

Friday
chicken wings
homefries
carrots, green beans

Saturday
Curry Lentil Loaf, potatoes & broccoli

Sunday
eat at my parents

introducing....my newest family members....

April 23rd they became officially members of the family...




10 girls!....yet to have official names....

meal planning week 2

Last week things ran SO SO much smoother so here I go again...

Breakfast:
Monday is muffins and melon
Tuesday is Oatmeal
Wednesday is french toast
Thursday is steel cut oats
Friday is pancakes
Saturday is up to the babysitter
Sunday is box cereal (the only day they get this)

Lunch:
will be again more of a wing-it event
there will be leftovers, there will be soup and sandwiches and veggie sticks
when it comes to T's lunches, I have been doing some Bento inspired things. Previous he was used to just a sandwich and a piece of fruit. I am trying to expand his fruit and veggie intake so I have resorted to cutting veggies into shapes, etc.

Supper:
Monday
Italian Sausage Burgers
greek salad

Tuesday

Pumpkin Mac'n Cheeze
peas, broccoli

Wednesday
ham pot pie pockets (I will follow as a guide)
garden salad

Thursday
sausages

perogies

cabbage salad

Friday
broccoli quiche
biscuits

Saturday
spagetti
caesar salad

Sunday
dinner at my parents
 

two weeks left of the 30 days

SO I have two weeks left of the 30 days.

I have TALKED to many people

I have grown to love these kids the longer they stay

I have more clarity

The pro-con list is growing

please pray....

clarity...

My last post was late at night...so things might have been a little confusing.

Since the kids are already living with me, I was offered the option to adopt them first (if the band makes no claim to them). I thought that the kids should be placed as a sibling set (of three) since they are full siblings. The social works have since agreed.

I could adopt all three. Which would make me a single parent of 4 kids 5 and under. That is A LOT! I would also be done foster parenting as my house would be full and I would be stretched to my limit. I could physically and financially care for all of them. It would be tough.

I am not sure I am called to. I feel that God has put it on my heart to foster and as much as I am growing to love these kids, I have to take CO into consideration. He is a BIG work in progress.  When I told him about the kids, he asked if the social workers could just find and new mom and dad for T and we keep the girl L (maybe also refered to as A).

I have the 30 days to decide.

I would have to buy a new vehicle and massively expand my support network.
Maybe I am just being selfish in thinking no.