Our Foster Blog

It was so much fun teaching Johnny who Santa was this year!  He had no clue who he was.  He decided he wanted a "Big Truck" from Santa. 
The first time he saw Santa was a Bass Pro Shop.  He gets nervous with new people and is not a performer, but he ran right up to Santa and told him he wanted a Big Truck.  (he's even holding Santa's hand in the picture)  As we were leaving, he kept asking where his Big Truck was.  We told him he'd get it at Christmas.  He then told us it was Chrsitmas time!!  He's so logical! ;) 
The second time he saw Santa was at the Hamblin Cousin's Christmas party.  He was the first kid called up and he RAN up to Santa (again it surprised us, because he does not perform in front of people)  Santa gave him a little something, and he asked again for his Big Truck.  We explained again, at Christmas Santa will coem to our house. 
He was pleased when Santa finally brought his Big Truck to him on Christmas. 

This is something I have been thinking about lately and thought I should journal it.

We knew we were supposed to do IVF, even though Howard has just lost his job and it would take all of our savings, we KNEW we were supposed to still go through with it.  So, when it didn't work out, I asked "why?" a lot...more than I should have!  We were left without savings, Howard was making a lot less than he  previously was and we were depressed!  We couldn't go back for more fertility treatments because there was no money, no left over eggs, no hope.  It was a sad place to be in. 

We're very lucky though...we're learning our answer two 'why?'  With out going through the failed IVF, I'm pretty sure my heart wouldn't have been softened for foster care.  Before we did IVF, we had a friend tell us about the need for foster parents of babies.  I had kept it in the back of my mind, but it took me 2 full years to be ready to make the leap to sign up for foster care. (Howard was ready a year before I was, but I think I had to grieve the loss of not being able to get pregnant)

We have been blessed more than we could have imagined though foster care.  We have two ADORABLE children.  (can you believe that was one of my biggest fears...getting an ugly child?  I think its silly how shallow a fear that was!)  I wouldn't trade these two for any 'natural birth'.  We love them and are so grateful to have them in our home.  We are so lucky to have our answer for 'why?'  Heavenly Father made our pathway towards our forever family.  Now we need to keep praying for the judge to continue to make the right decision for these two sweet spirits!

He is very into picking his outfits now.  We LOVE the shorts and boots look in our house. ;)

He is also obsessed with his jacket!  He only can wear it with the hood on.

Testing out his new camping chair

 Taylie is now 4 months old!!!  She's just about the sweetest thing there ever was.  We are madly in love with her!!  She now weighs 9 pounds and 11 ounces.  The doctors are happy with her weigh gain...its lucky this girl likes to eat!
 Jontrell loves to hold his sister and is very sweet with her.  She loves to watch him and laugh at him.  When Jontrell laughs, Taylie usually does too.  Its such a cute thing!!  Siblings are so much fun!!

She smiles with her whole body!

Not much cuter than this!!

Since getting Taylie, Jontrell seems so big to us!

Such a cutie!!!

We know our family will change shape, but while they are with us, WE are all a family.  They are OUR kids.

or should I say 4??  We're a family of 4!  And we're so in love with our new addition!  She smiles all the time and is really only fussy when she needs something.  She loves to cuddle and is just about the sweetest thing there is!

Jontrell is enjoying having his baby in our home.  He wasn't too sure the first night and asked everyone who came over to see her if they'd take the baby bye bye.  He is very gentle and soft with her.  He gets jealous, but we're making sure he's getting a lot of attention!

Jontrell is telling Taylie to smile for the camera