Foster update

We were getting about 1-2 calls per week for foster children in Feb. and March, mostly infants, but since we were all so sick, we decided it wasn’t a good idea and since our trip was coming at the beginning of April, we were not open to fostering. They called the week before we left and then it was quiet while my parents and sister were here, not a single call. About an hour after the Rinehardt’s were gone, the phone rang and it was the county. We were hoping to have a little down time, especially since Grandma Peggy was coming in a couple weeks and we are going to Disneyland. I had a bit of a knot in my stomach after our last experience, but I kept thinking about how God has protected us in the past and if it was meant to be, then we would go for it. We prayed and sat on it for several hours and then Ryan observed him for a bit and decided to bring him home. It has been night and day from our last experience. Kinda sad in a way because he hasn’t asked for mom at all :o(.

We’ve had him for 2 weeks now and he is a happy little guy (will be 2 in July) and has us laughing a lot. We had some early tantrums for attention, but after ignoring them, they are virtually gone. I’ve been trying to reward good behavior and it seems to be working; so well that I am now doing it with Reggie and Ainsley. He is a great sleeper….sleeps for almost 12 hours a night (without waking up!) and takes a two hour nap. This is key for the kids because they still have their playtime in the morning while he is sleeping and we still have some time with the kids when he is napping. Reggie is getting more interested and finding ways to interact with him and he loves Reggie and demands hugs, so it is good :o). Ainsley is very interested and we are working to learn how to play with younger children. She thinks it is fun to take toys and get a reaction and I’ve really been trying to explain how that feels. The last couple days, she has made some big improvement. She loves on him a lot and will open herself up to be pounced on. It is so fun to see them show love to him :o). Makes me love them even more! They really watch out for him and are already worried about him leaving.

The first week was a bit hard on Ryan and me, wondering what we’d gotten ourselves into….the loss of free time, extra work, juggling 3 children, etc., etc. Life seemed busy enough without this, but we have to trust God’s plan. It is good God sent him because he puts a smile on our faces and when I look at his big brown eyes, I know we are doing the right thing and that makes it worth it. Just one big challenge to conquer….biting other kids at church and the gym.