thinking of 6th grade

Hello friends, I can't believe that it's almost time for our second year of homeschooling to begin. I am very excited and looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us. I learned so much this past school year and will put that knowledge to good use as we travel this road of home schooling again. Our books arrived in the mail this week and I have typed up a new daily schedule. We will start school on August the 9th or the 16th ( I have not decided yet). The curriculum for 6 grade looks interesting. I can remember my 6th grade teacher Mrs. Sherry Lindsay. She was awesome in and out of the classroom. I can still see her spinning the globe on one hand and pointing out land masses with the other. When we would go outside to play sports she didn't sit on the sidelines and watch, she played the game with us. The best memory of her though had to be when she brought her guitar to class and taught us a John Denver song. Our class sang it for all the parents during PTA. That was so much fun. I hope to make Olivia's 6th grade school year just as exciting. I haven't started planning lessons yet, but I will keep Mrs. Lindsay's enthusiasm and creativity in mind :)

Olivia's foot has healed up nicely from her sprain. She is back on her scooter and doing well; thanks for the prayers. As far as foster updates go we are now in the home stretch ( 4 weeks until we have our license ... if all goes well). After a trip to our storage building I was surprised to find how many of Olivia's clothes I had kept. I have been washing and sorting them today. My sweet friend Shelly called yesterday and is offering crib sheets, pull ups and other items from her son. I feel so blessed. I can't thank the Lord enough. I am so happy :)

Speaking of Happy ... I'd like to wish my friend from college Rosellen a Happy 40th Birthday on the 19th as well as my brother Joey :) Happy Birthday wishes also go out to my friend since birth Karen Snow Johnson whose birthday is this Friday. Happy Birthday to all of you :)

Many blessings ...

Foster update this week

All of our paper work is complete and in the hands of our DSS lady. She will send it to Columbia probably on Monday and then we'll have approximately 4 weeks to wait to get our license. One thing I've learned through this process is how to spell the word, license :) That's one of those words that I always had trouble with. I am not a great speller ( or communicator of language) I wish I were, but grammar and me never meshed. I am still learning though :) In the meantime I am still collecting items that we will need. Since many of you have asked what we need I am going to list the items below.

size 2T, 3T, 4T clothes, especially pajama's and socks
crib mattress cover
crib sheets
baby bottles
bibs
full size waterproof mattress cover
infant car seat
toddler car seat
over-night pull ups
diapers
no spill sippy cups

I have purchased these items brand new and will replenish often as the children will take them with them when they leave our home:

brush/comb sets
toothbrushes
diapers
wipes
bib
pacifier
shoes
underwear boy 4T, girls underwear 4T
socks for infant
books
toys


Thanks for your prayers and support. Together we can make a difference in the life of a hurting child.

God bless you.

Hello friends, here is an updated photo of the foster child room with a cleaned out and organized closet. Thanks goes out to Jody and Maria for giving us a great deal on the crib and changing table. All we had to do was walk across the street :) Donna your offer of a free crib was very sweet as well, but due to time and distance this was best. We think it all fits well together.

We had our home study last night with one of the sweetest Christian ladies ... love her already. She was such a joy to work with. She was open and honest and a definite bright light for Jesus. She prayed for us and had me and her in tears. It was a special evening. One thing I asked her was how much longer before we'll have our license and she said it could take up to a month to finish this process. I was disappointed at that answer, but I know it's all in God's timing. She said she would do her part to send in the report today, but then it will be in another person's hands before being sent to Columbia for the final write up and licensing. So we will continue to ready our heart and home.

I'd like to take this space to thank Lori and Jack Heckman for donating the high chair, stroller, bouncy seat, take along booster seat and many little boy clothes all for FREE. I want to thank Renee and Jack Biggers for donating a baby gate and safety bed rails also for FREE. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me to say you have things to donate ... we will get together on those items. I am so appreciative of your prayers. This is not going to be easy. Satan does not want these children coming into a Christian home where we will openly share about Jesus and his love to these children. This is a ministry and we are fighting an enemy. Pray for our family as we begin this journey. What a mission field ... these children will be coming from drug homes and abuse ... they not only need to hear of the Lord's love for them, but we will have an opportunity to be a light for their parents to see Jesus. We covet your prayers. Satan wants to seek and destroy and I truly believe he hits the children the hardest. Pray for these children, pray for your own children. Prayer works. Please pray for my Olivia who sprained her ankle this week. We took her for x-rays and the doctor said it could take 10 days or more to heal. Thanks.

While reading my Bible this morning I came across this verse that really touched my heart.
Psalm 20:4 "May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose."
For many years my hearts desire was to have more children; now by being obedient to God's call to foster He is giving me the desire of my heart :) God is God. He knows best and will work out everything for not only His will but for our good. He loves me. He loves you.

Go be a blessing ...

Getting closer :)

The closet I must tackle today!!
cute shoes I bought :)






I mailed our completed medical forms and pet vet records to DSS this morning. Not long after walking in from the mailbox I got a phone call from the lady who will do our home study. We now have that scheduled for next Thursday !!!! Once the home study is complete we will be on our way to fostering :) This is all great, BUT what that means for me is that I have to put the crib up and have the room completely ready by next Thursday. When you walk into the room it "looks" ready until you open the closet and see all of those computer cables and equipment. My job today will be to empty the closet. I still need to purchase a chest of drawers, those safety bed rails to go on each side of the full size bed that we have in the room ( for the older children). Wow!! I can't believe after all of these months (since April) this process is finally coming to fruition. Yay!! So many people have been so gracious to pray for us and to donate items. Our family feels truly blessed. Thanks for your prayers and support.


I suppose I need to get to work :) Have a blessed day.