Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Way Back When-esday & Wordful Wednesday


Where it all began...

July 2001
Our Family at the time - Mike, Ronnie, Brooke, MyLinda & Dee Dee

Ronnie & Dee Dee were our very first foster placements. They came to us in May 2001 at 18 mos. old and left in August 2001 back to a mother that repeatedly hurt them and said that she didn't want them. Fortunately we heard that just a couple of months later Ronnie & Dee Dee were pulled from their home again and this time went to adoptions where we hope they found a wonderful loving forever family.

One of the changes for our family this year (that I mentioned in my last post) is that we are closing our foster license (actually I'm writing the letter today). We have fostered many wonderful little ones in our eight years as a foster family, had our hearts broken way too many times and received the greatest gift when we were able to add Lexy to our forever family. We have decided to take the leap out of "foster world" for many reasons but the most obvious to us is that it just feels like the right time. We are glad that God led us to be a foster family and we would do it all over again (not saying we wouldn't want to change the outcome of some things :-)) but now we feel it is time to move on. For me, it will be hard to let go of this portion of our life as I have allowed myself to think of being "foster mom" as part of my identity and to just become "normal mom" is going to be an adjustment but a necessary one. Now we move forward.

To check out who else is playing along join Cheryl for Way Back When-esday and Angie at Wordful Wednesday !

9 comments:

Brimful Curiosities said...

I'm sure the many kids you've fostered are very thankful you devoted part of your lives the last 8 years to helping them out. Best wishes as you move forward!

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said...

Truly awesome! Best wishes to you and your family.

Muthering Heights said...

Best wishes to you!

monica said...

You are truley an amazing family...you have helped care and love so many children...thank you for your service. Best wishes in everything! Stopping by from WBW! Great family picture!

SouthernDogwoods said...

What an awesome picture with a wonderful story behind it! Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Cheryl Lage said...

Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your memories...and what a collection of happy memories you have clearly given to so many!

Blessings and thanks to you for all you have done for so many....and thanks for playing along with Way Back When-esday so poignantly!

Erin @ Furry Murray said...

Great story and what a blessing you have been to your foster kids. Wow!

Kacey said...

Its an amazing thing to be foster parents and to help children for any amount of time. I am sure you have blessed so many as their time with you has blessed you.

Anonymous said...

You are a wonderful person and I'm sure this was not an easy decision for you. (((Hugs)))