Tuesday we had our second meeting with our caseworker. Seems to surreal to be saying that. Caseworker? We're starting the foster care process. God has been laying it on my heart for over a year now. He later spoke to Adam. :) When the caseworker from the county first came to my MOPS group last year, I so badly wanted to "sign up" but the timing wasn't right. My son was a wee babe and I was going through postpartem depression, but didn't realize it yet.
Over the past year, God has spoken to me, through His Word, through video clips, conversations with other parents, and through my love for children. Everytime I've tried to give up on this dream, everytime satan whispered a lie to me about my parenting skills or something else, the Lord has reminded me, that I am supposed to do this. I can't ignore the call He has on my life.
So fastforward to May 2011, we went to the Mansfield Growers Market and saw the local agency Concern had a booth and were giving information about becoming a foster parent. May 31st we went to an informational meeting at the Concern office. June we started our paperwork and July our caseworker came to our house to meet with us and give us more paperwork. On Tuesday she came to do our home study. We passed the test! It wasn't as hard as I thought. In the process, I was able to "summer" clean the house. It feels good to be able to have a deeply cleaned house, at least some of the rooms got the DEEP clean. I still have more to do, but it's very rewarding.
She's coming again today, to start our training. I'm so grateful that she's able to come here and do this with us. They are wonderful to work with parents who want to open their home to others. I want to share God's wonderful, amazing love, that He's given to me, with sweet little babes. If it's the child is a fit with our family, we may be adding to our numbers. No longer the Barnes Family Five, but of SIX?? We will see.
God has been pacing me, one step at a time. I have not given too much thought to the END of the process. I am more concerned with the beginning, thank you Jesus, and of welcoming a hurting child into our home and loving that little one and showing my children what God ultimately did for us: He loved us unconditionally and called us His own. Adopted us into His family. Called us His children. What amazing Love is this!!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Clothesline
Love the laundry hanging on my NEW CLOTHESLINE! Thank you Hubby for the wonderful job of FINALLY putting up my most amazing clothesline! We'll be saving money now! AND I will enjoy hanging out my clothes!!!
~ "Just Hangin" by Cat Girl 007 on Flikr
what.a.day
What.A.Day. I am so very glad to be home. It's been very busy. So busy I'm struggling to remember what I did this morning, let alone what I was doing before I got sucked into this things called facebook, blogger, ie THE INTERNET. We went to my mother's for breakfast. it was very nice. then went home to get some things done. Supposively around the house...but definately on the computer. {sigh} Are there dishes still in my sink? Yup. Did it rain on the clothes that I DID actually put on the line this morning? Yup. UGG. Oh great. Just realized that's my mattress cover on there. I hate it when that happens. Hubby doesn't like to remake the bed, after just making it. But I guess I'd better get that dry so I can sleep in my bed.
My mother and I took the kids shopping. They were good. Little Man was GREAT! I can't believe how good he was! AMAZING! The girls did pretty well too, although Middle Princess had difficulty listening to the FIRST TIME INSTRUCTIONS. Therefore Mommy spoke them on REPEAT, which was annoying for her and all others within earshot. {sigh}
I GOT A BATHING SUIT! Sort of a big deal. Since I have un-grown my old one. A word which means, that I have gotten TOO SMALL for it! And therefore am frightened to wear it in public, for fear that when it gets wet, I will find myself quite bathing suitless and that would NOT BE PRETTY. Not for all the innocent people in the pool. And the poor poor babies. I had an interesting time trying to find something, since it is JULY, and 95% of all bathing suits ARE SOLD OUT! UGG! I ended up going the creative route. I will have to let you know how it goes after the first time of swimming in it.
We ate dinner at Sam's Club. Not something I'd like to do OFTEN. However, it did save LOTS of money and was very FAST! Which I like, AND we got to do a DRIVE BY SHOPPING spree where I was able to get CHICKEN, and fruits and veggies IN BULK and SHARE with mother. SCORE!
All three little monkeys were sleeping by the time we reached my final destination. Got the two youngest in the house. Then SWORE I saw my oldest walking around in the living room. Went upstairs to put the little ones down. Couldn't find oldest Little Miss. YELLING all over the house AND outside for her... I found her. Smirking on the couch, "SLEEPING". What really aggrivated me? The fact that she had a melt down saying that she didn't hear us. I know she heard us. The SMIRK on her face told me so. VERY NOT HAPPY DADDY spoke to her regarding her little prank. Maybe if we hadn't been so tired, we would have seen the funny in it. I'm sure tomorrow we will laugh. Tonight we prayed for them and kissed them and tucked them in.
Jesus please give us grace and mercy as we parent these precious GIFTS.
My mother and I took the kids shopping. They were good. Little Man was GREAT! I can't believe how good he was! AMAZING! The girls did pretty well too, although Middle Princess had difficulty listening to the FIRST TIME INSTRUCTIONS. Therefore Mommy spoke them on REPEAT, which was annoying for her and all others within earshot. {sigh}
I GOT A BATHING SUIT! Sort of a big deal. Since I have un-grown my old one. A word which means, that I have gotten TOO SMALL for it! And therefore am frightened to wear it in public, for fear that when it gets wet, I will find myself quite bathing suitless and that would NOT BE PRETTY. Not for all the innocent people in the pool. And the poor poor babies. I had an interesting time trying to find something, since it is JULY, and 95% of all bathing suits ARE SOLD OUT! UGG! I ended up going the creative route. I will have to let you know how it goes after the first time of swimming in it.
We ate dinner at Sam's Club. Not something I'd like to do OFTEN. However, it did save LOTS of money and was very FAST! Which I like, AND we got to do a DRIVE BY SHOPPING spree where I was able to get CHICKEN, and fruits and veggies IN BULK and SHARE with mother. SCORE!
All three little monkeys were sleeping by the time we reached my final destination. Got the two youngest in the house. Then SWORE I saw my oldest walking around in the living room. Went upstairs to put the little ones down. Couldn't find oldest Little Miss. YELLING all over the house AND outside for her... I found her. Smirking on the couch, "SLEEPING". What really aggrivated me? The fact that she had a melt down saying that she didn't hear us. I know she heard us. The SMIRK on her face told me so. VERY NOT HAPPY DADDY spoke to her regarding her little prank. Maybe if we hadn't been so tired, we would have seen the funny in it. I'm sure tomorrow we will laugh. Tonight we prayed for them and kissed them and tucked them in.
Jesus please give us grace and mercy as we parent these precious GIFTS.
Monday, June 27, 2011
I work for The King.
The other day I was surfing blogs and came across one I just love.
www.abeautifuljourneyblog.com
On it, I found these words, that pretty much sum it up and speak volumes to my little heart.
"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of His home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board, and a job to do, but it is all for Him.
Therefore, I want to dress my best, and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and all His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him."
~ Lydia Sherman
Trying to manage my home in a way that is pleasing to Him and brings Him worship and glory. It's so hard to do, but I know I can do it.
I was reading a book that I recently picked up at our MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, yard sale. It's titled "Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home" by Emilie Barnes. So far I'm really enjoying it. It's a great reminder to me why I want to keep my home clean and neat, and welcoming.
"For home is not merely a structure of wood, brick, and metal. Home is what grows within its walls, nurtured by ther hears and souls of those who live within. Allow the joy and peace of our Lord to permeate the walls of your home and the "rooms" of your life with a spirit of welcome that only Christ himself can give you."
In only it's first chaper, this book is a good encouragment and reminder to see the heart of the matter.
I want my home to reflect the words of this Jewish blessing:
May it's doors be open to those in need, and its rooms be filled with kindness. May joy shine from its windows, and His presence never leave it.
www.abeautifuljourneyblog.com
On it, I found these words, that pretty much sum it up and speak volumes to my little heart.
"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of His home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board, and a job to do, but it is all for Him.
Therefore, I want to dress my best, and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and all His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him."
~ Lydia Sherman
Trying to manage my home in a way that is pleasing to Him and brings Him worship and glory. It's so hard to do, but I know I can do it.
I was reading a book that I recently picked up at our MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, yard sale. It's titled "Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home" by Emilie Barnes. So far I'm really enjoying it. It's a great reminder to me why I want to keep my home clean and neat, and welcoming.
"For home is not merely a structure of wood, brick, and metal. Home is what grows within its walls, nurtured by ther hears and souls of those who live within. Allow the joy and peace of our Lord to permeate the walls of your home and the "rooms" of your life with a spirit of welcome that only Christ himself can give you."
In only it's first chaper, this book is a good encouragment and reminder to see the heart of the matter.
I want my home to reflect the words of this Jewish blessing:
May it's doors be open to those in need, and its rooms be filled with kindness. May joy shine from its windows, and His presence never leave it.
Thank You.
"Thank You Jesus for...." That is how my daughter ALWAYS starts her prayers. Not "dear Jesus" but Thank You Jesus. When she is praying for a family memebers boo boo, or saying her bedtime prayers, praying for her food. I LOVE that! It reminds me that I need to be thankful. To come in a spirit of thankfulness for ALL that He has done for us. I don't know where she got that from, she's just always done it. And I love it. I love her. And I love Jesus and am so thankful that He's given me the job of being her momma.
Lord, help me to remember to be thankful in all things.
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you..." ~Colossians 1:3
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
~Colossians 4:2
Devote yourself to being thankful. WOW. Working on that.
"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.."
~ 1 Timothy 4:4
Out of the mouths of babes.... I think when she asks the Lord, with thanksgiving in the beginning of her prayer, the Lord hears her. I know He does.
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
~ Luke 18:16
I know that there is power in my little girl's prayers. I don't want to hinder her coming to Jesus. With a faith like hers, I know that Kingdom of Heaven belongs to her! I pray I can continue to nurture that faith and lead her in the way that she should go.
Lord, help me to remember to be thankful in all things.
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you..." ~Colossians 1:3
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
~Colossians 4:2
Devote yourself to being thankful. WOW. Working on that.
"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.."
~ 1 Timothy 4:4
Out of the mouths of babes.... I think when she asks the Lord, with thanksgiving in the beginning of her prayer, the Lord hears her. I know He does.
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
~ Luke 18:16
I know that there is power in my little girl's prayers. I don't want to hinder her coming to Jesus. With a faith like hers, I know that Kingdom of Heaven belongs to her! I pray I can continue to nurture that faith and lead her in the way that she should go.
Monday, June 20, 2011
THE BENCH!
I have had the desire to renovate my dining room, if only to change the furniture around and get a new table and chairs. We were blessed when we were first married with the gift of a table and chairs from our professor and his wife who did our marriage counceling. The condtion was that we had to give it away when we were ready to get something else. Well, I've been dreaming of a rectangular table and new chairs and a bench for the kids to sit on. I've scoured the internet for pictures and designs of a bench. Then my friend Kristie offered to help me build it. So the day after the last day of school, I packed my play pen, my 3 kids, and my wood into the mini-van and set out to Kristie's house. The girls were ecstatic to be playing with their friends! With me, Kristie and our 6 kids, we had a fun afternoon! We got down on her covered deck, (which I am ENVIOUS of!!!) and got to buildin'!
We had the kids try it out. Needed a few adjustments.
TADA!!!
While we were there, Little Man played in Kristie's little one's excersaucer and FELL ASLEEP!! He's NEVER done that before!!
Kristie helped me load the bench and off I went home, after a day filled with playing and building, to PAINT IT!
The Before picture...
The During picture...
I was so happy to find a gallon of paint in my basement stash of the same color that was used on the trim in the living room and play room of our house! SO thankful that I didn't have to buy it! AND it was very similar to the color that I had wanted to use!
In addition to the AMAZING bench that we built (I say "we" loosly, because basically, Kristie did all the work, while I helped with design and holding boards!) I was blessed that same week with a NEW to Me TABLE! My mom found it at a yard sale in New Jersey! The nice older woman GAVE IT TO HER FOR FREE!!!!! FOR FREE!!!! It is at least 40 years old! SOLID WOOD!! 3 leaves! The woman said she sat 14 people around it! I think at least 10 can fit comfortably! It's oval, so not the rectangle shaped that I had wanted, but it's all good! It has a very long, straight side that the NEW BENCH fits up to PERFECTLY! Thank you Jesus!! and Mom! and Kristie!!
I will post pictures of the final dining room "redo" SOON!
We had the kids try it out. Needed a few adjustments.
TADA!!!
While we were there, Little Man played in Kristie's little one's excersaucer and FELL ASLEEP!! He's NEVER done that before!!
Kristie helped me load the bench and off I went home, after a day filled with playing and building, to PAINT IT!
The Before picture...
The During picture...
I was so happy to find a gallon of paint in my basement stash of the same color that was used on the trim in the living room and play room of our house! SO thankful that I didn't have to buy it! AND it was very similar to the color that I had wanted to use!
In addition to the AMAZING bench that we built (I say "we" loosly, because basically, Kristie did all the work, while I helped with design and holding boards!) I was blessed that same week with a NEW to Me TABLE! My mom found it at a yard sale in New Jersey! The nice older woman GAVE IT TO HER FOR FREE!!!!! FOR FREE!!!! It is at least 40 years old! SOLID WOOD!! 3 leaves! The woman said she sat 14 people around it! I think at least 10 can fit comfortably! It's oval, so not the rectangle shaped that I had wanted, but it's all good! It has a very long, straight side that the NEW BENCH fits up to PERFECTLY! Thank you Jesus!! and Mom! and Kristie!!
I will post pictures of the final dining room "redo" SOON!
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