Hello friends....
This week is super crazy for me with the draft horse show at the fair next weekend. I don't have class this week and next week will be the beginning of the LAST session! I'm super excited for what God has in place for me...there are fears, there are "what if's", there are hesitations...but nothing makes me feel this is a bad decision. God won't give me more than I can handle! He will help me handle what he gives me!
Have a GREAT week everyone and I will catch up with you next week! Can't believe August is right around the corner!!!
Love and grace to Him!
Alecia
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
July 20, 2010
Session 2 is OVER! One more to go........time is flying by!
Life is GOOD! I have discovered so many inner thoughts and strengths that I didn't know that I had within myself! I am truly blessed to be in this process...not only for the life or lives I am about to change to the way they are going to change mine!
Tonights class was on Discipline! Ya might say, well that's simple! Really it's not....you have to remember where these kids of come from and what trauma they have been thru! Physical discipline is NOT an option and coping mechanism probably won't work. The goal is to figure out what is causing the aggression, then work on solving it! It's hard to determine what will work on paper...got to wait to see what my child will be!
I also made a BIG decision about my journey...we are just changing it up a little! After a lot of prayer and talking with others in my class and Lutheran services connections, i have decided to work through the foster care placement services in conjunction with the ultimate goal of adoption. I never thought I could and would be able to become a foster parent, but through this class and working with others just like me, I have so much to give to a child(ren) for a short time or a long time, that I can be that positive influence in their life. Yes, it's not going to be easy and if you know me well enough, I will cry i am sure alot....but the tears won't be of sorry but of happiness that I can be that person that child looks back on and says "My foster mom Alecia was the most loving person and I will never forget her."
By making this decision, my home study process has just been bumped up to "top priority" because of the need for foster families in Greene county. PLUS...84% of foster placements turn into adoption placements! What an opportunity to think you are going to temporarily change a child's life and then be able to adopt them!
Lots of GOOD in my life! I am so blessed with an amazing and supportive family that I love with all my heart! Not to mention the countless friends that I am blessed to have as well! If you are lucky enough to be on my list, I love you forever!
-Love to all,
Alecia
Life is GOOD! I have discovered so many inner thoughts and strengths that I didn't know that I had within myself! I am truly blessed to be in this process...not only for the life or lives I am about to change to the way they are going to change mine!
Tonights class was on Discipline! Ya might say, well that's simple! Really it's not....you have to remember where these kids of come from and what trauma they have been thru! Physical discipline is NOT an option and coping mechanism probably won't work. The goal is to figure out what is causing the aggression, then work on solving it! It's hard to determine what will work on paper...got to wait to see what my child will be!
I also made a BIG decision about my journey...we are just changing it up a little! After a lot of prayer and talking with others in my class and Lutheran services connections, i have decided to work through the foster care placement services in conjunction with the ultimate goal of adoption. I never thought I could and would be able to become a foster parent, but through this class and working with others just like me, I have so much to give to a child(ren) for a short time or a long time, that I can be that positive influence in their life. Yes, it's not going to be easy and if you know me well enough, I will cry i am sure alot....but the tears won't be of sorry but of happiness that I can be that person that child looks back on and says "My foster mom Alecia was the most loving person and I will never forget her."
By making this decision, my home study process has just been bumped up to "top priority" because of the need for foster families in Greene county. PLUS...84% of foster placements turn into adoption placements! What an opportunity to think you are going to temporarily change a child's life and then be able to adopt them!
Lots of GOOD in my life! I am so blessed with an amazing and supportive family that I love with all my heart! Not to mention the countless friends that I am blessed to have as well! If you are lucky enough to be on my list, I love you forever!
-Love to all,
Alecia
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 13, 2010
Hello everyone....
I'm on the downhill slide in my classes....only 4 more to go and then 2 all day classes on Saturdays in September! Woo Hoo!
Last nights class was on building family relationships! Many times when children are placed in the foster care system, reuinification is the goal with returning to the family. I have very mixed emotions about this but understand the bigger picture. When the child can't be safely returned home, the possibility of terminating rights of the parents may occur and the child may need to be placed in an adopted situation. Children have emotions in this process and the act of saying "goodbye" to their parents can be difficult, but in the best interest of the child. Its hard to believe that a child would ever be removed from their home because someone abused and neglected them. Unfathomable to me!
It's important to develop a LifeBook for the children that come into our lives....a book of history that they may take back with them to their parents or to where ever they may go. So many times, children move from home to home, and have no tangible objects of their time in that home. It's sad to me that a LifeBook of memories has to be done...not the book itself, but the purpose of it!
Classes are going well. We said goodbye to one of the Social Workers as she is taking another job. Amanda started out with me in the beginning of this process and I wish her the best.
On another note....we discussed "planning" for the future and as usual I am thinking ahead! It's important to know your community resources and how they will best work with your adoptive child and whatever special needs they may have...I have talked with several people at Ash Grove schools and I feel that is the best school that I would feel comfortable sending my child too. Ya know...that's where I grew up and I turned out okay! With that said, I am hopefully moving back towards "the grove" and will post more about that later. I have found a house and am going to look at it again tonight.....Hope it all works out! Would be nice to be closer to all the family and the kids especially!
Well I better get off here and head to work! Have a BLESSED day and thank you for all your support! I had a fellow member of my class, Annette, last night say how much she admired me doing this (being single).....thanks to her for affirming that my decision that becoming a mom to a special needs child is a blessing!
Until next time....
Alecia
I'm on the downhill slide in my classes....only 4 more to go and then 2 all day classes on Saturdays in September! Woo Hoo!
Last nights class was on building family relationships! Many times when children are placed in the foster care system, reuinification is the goal with returning to the family. I have very mixed emotions about this but understand the bigger picture. When the child can't be safely returned home, the possibility of terminating rights of the parents may occur and the child may need to be placed in an adopted situation. Children have emotions in this process and the act of saying "goodbye" to their parents can be difficult, but in the best interest of the child. Its hard to believe that a child would ever be removed from their home because someone abused and neglected them. Unfathomable to me!
It's important to develop a LifeBook for the children that come into our lives....a book of history that they may take back with them to their parents or to where ever they may go. So many times, children move from home to home, and have no tangible objects of their time in that home. It's sad to me that a LifeBook of memories has to be done...not the book itself, but the purpose of it!
Classes are going well. We said goodbye to one of the Social Workers as she is taking another job. Amanda started out with me in the beginning of this process and I wish her the best.
On another note....we discussed "planning" for the future and as usual I am thinking ahead! It's important to know your community resources and how they will best work with your adoptive child and whatever special needs they may have...I have talked with several people at Ash Grove schools and I feel that is the best school that I would feel comfortable sending my child too. Ya know...that's where I grew up and I turned out okay! With that said, I am hopefully moving back towards "the grove" and will post more about that later. I have found a house and am going to look at it again tonight.....Hope it all works out! Would be nice to be closer to all the family and the kids especially!
Well I better get off here and head to work! Have a BLESSED day and thank you for all your support! I had a fellow member of my class, Annette, last night say how much she admired me doing this (being single).....thanks to her for affirming that my decision that becoming a mom to a special needs child is a blessing!
Until next time....
Alecia
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010 - GREAT CLASS!
Hello followers! Tonights class was really good and POSITIVE! Thank goodness...I was beginning to wonder if this night would EVER come! Subject tonight was Grief and Loss (which yes I understand that it might appear confusing that I actually enjoyed tonights class, but I did)
There are 2 teachers for this class and I enjoy both of them. They have very different teaching styles and tonight Theresa taught the entire night and she was amazing at delivering her personnal experiences with being a foster/adoptive mother. Dealing with grief and loss for the children in the foster care system is very common and will effect every child. From the loss of being seperated from birthparents, to the moving around from foster home to foster home, to the abuse that they individually deal with. For those of you that have children....give them a BIG hug tonight and every night for the normalcy that you provide them and the stability of a loving home!
Tonight was POSITIVE because of what an influence I can be for a child that has been through a trying life! I can't wait for this experience and yet I am wondering if I am up for the challenge! Its all a waiting game.....I can't wait!
My closing thoughts comes from our teacher...she read this story tonight at the close of class and I think it sums up the reality of why I am doing this journey..................of being a positive influence in a childs life! Thanks for your support and love....:-)
"Son for a Season"
by Jo An C. Nahirny
The last Friday in September was supposed to have been Jeremy's "Special Day" at nursery school. That's when he would have brought a favorite toy for show and tell and picked the book his teacher would read to the class. His mom would have supplied snacks for al the kids.
"Special Day" came differently for Jeremy. He didn't go to school with his toy and book and snacks. Instead, his day began at 7 am when a man he didn't know arrived in a car he didn't recognize. Imprinted on the car were the words STATE OF NEW JERSEY. Jeremy was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes when the man carried the single bag that contained his wardrobe and a box of stuffed animals and tossed it in to his trunk.
I will never forget the look on his face as he was taken away. We'd tried to prepare him, telling him he was going to live with his Grandma and Grandpa in Pennsylvania, but he didn't understand. To 3 year old Jeremy, I was Mommy and my husband was daddy. He had a sister and brother which were our biological children. All he understood that a strange man was taking him away.
Both my husband and I had tears in our eyes. Jeremy was our foster son. He stayed with us from June to September...our hopes would have been to keep him longer, forever if possible but the state of new jersey felt that it was better for him to be with relatives.
People ask us why we became foster parents. "you have your own children, they say. Why do you want other people problems.
My heart aches even more. I asked myself "why do we do this?".
Months after I posed that desperate question of "Why?", Mike and I attended church together. We listened to the scripture reading: "He then took a little child whom he set among them and embraced, and he said to them, "anyone who welcomes a little child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me.
Mike nudged me and whispered, "THAT'S WHY WE DO THIS' And that's why we'll be foster parents for years to come!
There are 2 teachers for this class and I enjoy both of them. They have very different teaching styles and tonight Theresa taught the entire night and she was amazing at delivering her personnal experiences with being a foster/adoptive mother. Dealing with grief and loss for the children in the foster care system is very common and will effect every child. From the loss of being seperated from birthparents, to the moving around from foster home to foster home, to the abuse that they individually deal with. For those of you that have children....give them a BIG hug tonight and every night for the normalcy that you provide them and the stability of a loving home!
Tonight was POSITIVE because of what an influence I can be for a child that has been through a trying life! I can't wait for this experience and yet I am wondering if I am up for the challenge! Its all a waiting game.....I can't wait!
My closing thoughts comes from our teacher...she read this story tonight at the close of class and I think it sums up the reality of why I am doing this journey..................of being a positive influence in a childs life! Thanks for your support and love....:-)
"Son for a Season"
by Jo An C. Nahirny
The last Friday in September was supposed to have been Jeremy's "Special Day" at nursery school. That's when he would have brought a favorite toy for show and tell and picked the book his teacher would read to the class. His mom would have supplied snacks for al the kids.
"Special Day" came differently for Jeremy. He didn't go to school with his toy and book and snacks. Instead, his day began at 7 am when a man he didn't know arrived in a car he didn't recognize. Imprinted on the car were the words STATE OF NEW JERSEY. Jeremy was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes when the man carried the single bag that contained his wardrobe and a box of stuffed animals and tossed it in to his trunk.
I will never forget the look on his face as he was taken away. We'd tried to prepare him, telling him he was going to live with his Grandma and Grandpa in Pennsylvania, but he didn't understand. To 3 year old Jeremy, I was Mommy and my husband was daddy. He had a sister and brother which were our biological children. All he understood that a strange man was taking him away.
Both my husband and I had tears in our eyes. Jeremy was our foster son. He stayed with us from June to September...our hopes would have been to keep him longer, forever if possible but the state of new jersey felt that it was better for him to be with relatives.
People ask us why we became foster parents. "you have your own children, they say. Why do you want other people problems.
My heart aches even more. I asked myself "why do we do this?".
Months after I posed that desperate question of "Why?", Mike and I attended church together. We listened to the scripture reading: "He then took a little child whom he set among them and embraced, and he said to them, "anyone who welcomes a little child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me.
Mike nudged me and whispered, "THAT'S WHY WE DO THIS' And that's why we'll be foster parents for years to come!
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 5, 2010
Hellllooooo everyone!
I haven't been on here in a couple of weeks. We took a week off from class and I took the time to re-energize these overwhelmed batteries! The last class was a bit difficult, subject was: Abuse and Neglect. So you can only imagine what the material was and the subject matter was hard to comprehend. How can people be so cruel to children? Needless to say, I shed a few tears on the way home from that class!
BUT I'm back on the bandwagon and will be going to class tomorrow with a FRESH mind and a positive attitude! I did make contact with a woman that is similar to me-single, professional and is currently making a positive difference in the lives of foster kids. Look forward to visiting with her and relating my situation to real life!
So, I'm going to sign off for today and will be back Wednesday with the latest on tomorrow night's class!
Remember...............God won't give me more than I can handle in any situation in my life! Keep the FAITH!!!!
I haven't been on here in a couple of weeks. We took a week off from class and I took the time to re-energize these overwhelmed batteries! The last class was a bit difficult, subject was: Abuse and Neglect. So you can only imagine what the material was and the subject matter was hard to comprehend. How can people be so cruel to children? Needless to say, I shed a few tears on the way home from that class!
BUT I'm back on the bandwagon and will be going to class tomorrow with a FRESH mind and a positive attitude! I did make contact with a woman that is similar to me-single, professional and is currently making a positive difference in the lives of foster kids. Look forward to visiting with her and relating my situation to real life!
So, I'm going to sign off for today and will be back Wednesday with the latest on tomorrow night's class!
Remember...............God won't give me more than I can handle in any situation in my life! Keep the FAITH!!!!
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