Any Foster Parents among us?

[69MyWay]

My wife and I decided after a long amount of thought to become foster and possible adoptive parents. The need out there is tremendous.

Right now we have one biological son - he is seven

We took the classes and went through the inspections. It was a long process - and we actually learned an awful lot along the way.

We are working with a Christian Ministry that helps families through pre-foster services. These are situations where the state is not yet involved and the parent(s) come looking for help on a voluntary basis.

Since we received our license we have had three calls - one was a 10 year old boy that was known to sexually abuse other kids, one was a 15 year old that was known to beat his mom - and the other was a pregnant teen. We agreed to the pregnant teen - but didn't end up with a placement. The other two were too much of a risk to our son.

THEN - we got a phone call last week. A mother with Four boys - ages 18 months to seven. She needed help and was looking for a temporary home.

They asked us and we agreed. There was about five days over the July 4th weekend while we waited. We were not set up for four extra folks, so we spent a significant amount of time and resources getting extra beds - toys, crib...etc. We even...HOLD YOUR BREATH ON THIS ONE....bought a mini-van because we have nothing that would haul seven people. I picked up a killer deal on a 2005 Uplander with 120K - built in DVD...etc for $4,500. Found out when I was making the deal, the owners of the van bought it to get three foster boys in 2005 - and ended up adopting one of them.

Anyway - after getting all ramped up - they were set to come Wed around 2:00. Just before they were heading out to get them, the mom changed her mind. She found a place they could all stay - they had been in a shelter.

Anyway - I'm thrilled they found a spot and stayed together - but my wife and I were both a little bummed after getting ready and getting excited.

My son even volunteered to move his room into the basement bedroom (he has previously been scared to stay down there) to help out. He is now sleeping down there so that was a win-win.

Anyway - at least next time we are MORE than ready - but this week has been a roller coaster. Was hard to go back to all the people that helped us get set up for these boys and let them know they didn't show.

Then, my wife came down with a bad sickness and had to have some minor in-office surgery today. Funny how things work out - she would have never been able to help me chase five kids around here.


Any other Foster stories out there?