tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62691513234775858542024-02-20T04:48:46.987-08:00journeys through my heartKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-60552671491046048362009-06-12T17:40:00.000-07:002009-06-12T17:58:09.875-07:00New Beginnings and startling parallelsToday, June 12, my new daughters, K and S moved in! Last year on June 12, My foster son of 18 months left to be reunified with birth family. This is one of several intriguing parallels. My foster son, J moved in the week after Thanksgiving 2006 and left on June 12, 2008. K and S moved in with their foster parents the week after Thanksgiving 2007 and came to us on June 12, 2009. J had only one foster placement during that time. K and S had only one foster placement. J was(and still is) very bonded to us. K and S were(and still are) very bonded to their foster family. K and S's foster family, I know, are grieving tonight. I know how they feel. One family's joy is another's grief. I was grieving a year ago today. There are happy outcomes for both situations. J is allowed contact with us now and can come to spend the weekend whenever he wishes. K and S will still be allowed to maintain contact with their foster family as well. Through my own experiences, I know how important healthy contacts can be for children. My heart is full tonight as I ponder all the blessings I have been given.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-70216071848680431292009-06-05T13:13:00.000-07:002009-06-05T13:45:24.608-07:00The past few months..I have decided to finally update my page after many months of procrastinating! I have happy news to share and now I have to figure out where to begin..<br />I think I will just start with February!<br /><br />February...Hubby and I were matched with two lovely girls in need of a permanent family( aged 12 and 11)!! Quite unexpected, but a wonderful surprise! It has always been my dream to adopt a child or children into the family. We started transitional visits on Valentine's Say weekend! The girls are beautiful and sweet and we are hopeful that this will be a terrific match!<br /><br /><br />March, April....More visits! There is four and a half hours of driving between us and the girls, so we have been doing a lot of traveling! It has been fun though, and we have enjoyed getting to know our new daughters! They are pretty typical "tweens" ..thus far, and they love to go shopping!<br /><br />May.. The visits continue. The girls are becoming more relaxed and and are being themselves. They sometimes argue and like to pick on each other..sisters! They are opposites in many ways..The oldest, K, is more of a tomboy, while S, the youngest, is a real girlie-girl. K likes the outdoors, is easy-going and is also a bit of a prankster! S loves clothes, Hanna Montana, and dreams of going to the prom.. During this time, I also finally heard from my former foster son, J, who lived with us for 18 months. He has even been allowed to come and stay on several weekends! He is well and doing good in school..two 3's on his EOG!<br /><br />June..I sit here anticipating the arrival of my girls on June 12.. I can hardly believe it. I so hope I can be the kind of mother they so need and deserve.. This weekend they are having a "New Beginnings party" instead of a going away party. Their foster family who has had them for 18 months, along with other friends and neighbors are giving them this special celebration.. They are so excited!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-40426915480036284612009-01-20T08:43:00.000-08:002009-01-20T08:57:29.716-08:00Snow!!!!<a href="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/dogsnow.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 420px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 501px" alt="" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/dogsnow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/snow.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 503px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 442px" alt="" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/snow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I woke up today to a blanket of snow..and it looks like we are going to have 4 or 5 inches of the stuff! May get that snowcreme after all! The dogs had alot of fun too! I am sitting here watching the presidential inauguration and sipping coffee...such a nice day to not have to work!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-72044556019902627492009-01-17T06:20:00.000-08:002009-01-17T06:27:18.699-08:00Stranger weather..This morning I woke up to a temperature of 9 degrees! Yes, 9 whole degrees! For my area of the South, a temperature in the single digits is cold, cold, COLD! Yesterday's HIGH was 27 degrees! BRRRRRRRRRR! I am a cold-natured gal, and I can not imagine living in a place where this is the norm. My skin is all dry and itchy too. If it is going to be this cold I want to see some snow..at least that would be some small consolation! At least enough to make myself a nice decent bowl of snow creme!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-11917977984059136232009-01-08T14:17:00.000-08:002009-01-08T14:27:35.715-08:00strange weather...Yesterday was one of the strangest weather days I have seen in a while. The early morning hours were strangely warm, almost 70 degrees. As the hours progressed, the wind picked up and was blowing so hard it rattled the roof above my classroom! Some of the children became startled when the rain started coming down in sheets (for about 10 minutes) along with the howling wind. Around noon, the wind calmed and the temperature dropped gradually down into the low 50's. By last night, some areas had downed trees and a few of my co-workers reported hail at their homes. Next week, the weather man says we may have some of the coldest weather we have seen in a long while..maybe even snow! Strange, strange weather!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-20143868429947648822009-01-05T14:14:00.000-08:002009-01-05T14:30:10.953-08:00Ugh, Back to Work..After two weeks of vacation, today was the day to go back to work! It is amazing how a vacation can spoil you and make it so hard to get back to a normal daily routine...<br /><br />During my recent time off I....<br /><br />1. spent mornings drinking coffee and watching news programs<br /><br />2. stayed in my slippers all day<br /><br />3. got a sinus infection...ugh<br /><br />4. pulled a muscle in my neck and had to use a heating pad and Ben Gay for several days..oww!<br /><br />5. sang at a Christmas party<br /><br />6. played with my dogs<br /><br />7. started this blog<br /><br />8. bought a new laptop<br /><br />9. started sleeping on a therapeutic memory foam pillow...took a bit of getting used to, but it has helped my neck tremendously!<br /><br />10 ate fudge, fruitcake, dessert..etc..........oink oink!<br /><br />11. spent time with family<br /><br />12. stayed up late watching TV<br /><br />All in all, despite the sinus infection and neck pain I had a very nice, peaceful holiday. Hey, I just made it through Monday, the rest of the week can't be too bad can it?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-19139507542382298512009-01-03T15:32:00.000-08:002009-01-03T15:49:12.883-08:00A Must ReadI read a very thought provoking, disturbing, yet inspirational book today..It is called <strong>23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese. </strong>According to Mr. Wiese, He experienced a terrifying 23 minute visit to Hell in which God showed him some of the unspeakable horrors that await those who are not saved. He says God wanted him to let others know of this place because He does not want any of us to go there. It was created for Satan and his minions. He also says that Jesus gave the very clear statement, "Tell them I am coming VERY, VERY SOON!" Gave me chills! It is a very vivid account. If you want to hear more of the story, there are several videos on YouTube that are very detailed. Just look up Bill Wiese.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-87605770390509558472009-01-01T08:48:00.000-08:002009-01-01T13:10:06.185-08:00Goodbye 2008!I say goodbye to 2008 with a measure of relief .. It was a very difficult year. When I reflect back on the past twelve months, there were many things that happened to me that could have really crushed my spirit..if God had not carried me through.<br /><br /><strong>January and February</strong> were emotionally unsettling..We were dealing with decisions being made for our former foster son, "J", who had been with me a year at that point. His birthmom had not been following her caseplan and would not show up for visits alot of the time. So, DSS turned to birthfather. (who wanted him to live with his sister out of state). "J" was upset and did not want to go live with her.. After the out- of -state aunt did not pass her background check..the agency once again turned to "dad." They decided to try to push this through. despite dad's lengthy criminal record, revoked driver's license, and history of violent, irresponsible behavior..<br /><strong>March and April</strong> held a mixed bag of good and bad...(some of the "good" ended up being bad later on). We were presented with information on a 13 year old girl, "B" who was available for adoption. She seemed like a great fit for our family..We started visits and everything seemed to be moving along nicely.. I also had a routine mammogram during this time and the clinic called me back in to do more x-rays.. I was terrified. Luckily, they found nothing..but wanted me to come back in six months.. Oh the power of prayer!<br /><br /><strong>May and June</strong> soon followed. More visits with "B." "J" was now having to spend every weekend with "dad" at this point. I also found out that"dad" was riding both "J" and his brother down the road on his moped ..with no helmets. This definitely increased my concerns for "J's" safety as well as his brother's... I guess the man has no other transportation..but still...<br />Sadly, on June 12, "J" was removed from our home and sent to live with the man anyway. My heart broke. I have not heard from him since.... "B" moved in a few days later.....We were happy for a few weeks..<br /><br /><strong>July</strong> was very unpleasant. "B" decided that getting her way through any means possible was her goal in being here. After about 3 pretty good weeks, she decided to show her true colors. We never expected some of the antics she displayed...First it was the cursing, and the refusal to take baths and get out of bed...(these were the minor things that we were expecting to deal with). Then it was the running out of the house at any hour when she did not get her way and the threats to call DSS and tell them we were hurting her if she did not get to do what she wanted(which were lies). Then it was the running out of the house and flopping belly down in the front yard (so that the neighbors would think we were horrible abusive people) and beating her fists on the walls and trashing the house.... The final straw came when she ran off to a friends house, refused to come home, then took off on her bike. After a cop later talked to her and got her back in our car, she tried to jump out of while it was moving... The really scary thing about all of her antics was that the trigger for them were "little things" like being told she couldn't have a friend over for a sleepover on a weeknight or being told she needed to start going to bed earlier, or being told she needed to come home before dark while out on her bike. We decided that adoption was not the answer in this situation for us or for "B." We were honestly afraid of what she would be willing to do next to get her way and at what cost..to our safety or hers. So "B" was sent back to her county of origin and thankfully, we had been holding off on fileing the paperwork.. After all this, I became depressed and felt like quitting everything related to fostering and adoption...<br /><br /><strong>August-December </strong>left my dh without a job..the economic crisis had cost him his position. He was two months without a job. Now he is working part-time for another company, at least until something full-time comes along! I found out in October that my follow-up mammogram was clear..Halleluiah! In December, we fostered two little boys for five days.. They were so cute and my spirits were brightened...at the time of year when I was really needing some cheering up. This was to be my first Christmas in two years with no children, and I was feeling really blue. The boys left before the holiday, but it was enough to strengthen my resolve and refresh my mothering instincts..<br /><br />Now I look ahead to a brand new year. I know God strengthened and took care of me through all of those difficult months...Do I understand the reasons I had to go through all those difficulties? No. But I am certain that God is using these circumstances to mold me and prepare me for things to come...Maybe 2009 will bring the answers I have been seeking and my dream of motherhood will be fulfilled...Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-32365663460401062742008-12-31T08:59:00.000-08:002008-12-31T09:21:49.510-08:00In Memoriam...June 1, 1999-May 20, 2007<p align="center"><a href="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/MVC-002S.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 376px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px" alt="" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/MVC-002S.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><a href="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/MVC-001S.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/MVC-001S.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is my first Bassett, Freckles. We had almost eight wonderful years together! Sadly, she passed away in May of 2007 after a short but brave fight with Lymphoma. She is forever in my heart. Though, stubborn and bossy at times,(Cole used to be quite hen-pecked!) she was a loving, intelligent, and loyal friend to the very end....See you later, my friend..Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-73446159780548496352008-12-30T18:08:00.000-08:002008-12-30T18:16:05.925-08:00Furball No. 2<a href="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/lillieplay2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 421px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px" alt="" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/lillieplay2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is furball number two...Lillie! Naughty, Naughty, underwear stealing, trashcan diving, everything's a chew toy kind of dog! A two-year-old dog who absolutely delights in her naughtiness! But very lovable, none the less!</div><br /><div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-88713624179539052822008-12-30T17:56:00.000-08:002008-12-30T18:19:54.487-08:00Furballs!<a href="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/MVC-010S.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg109/pumkin371/MVC-010S.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Just thought I would post about my my two furballs, Cole the Black Lab and Lillie the Basset. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Cole is a nine year old, 110 pound black lab who lives to eat and eat and eat......! In his younger years he was quite frisky and I made the mistake of getting in between him and another dog he was chasing..I ended up with a tibial plateau fracture to my knee which left me in a leg brace and using crutches for six weeks! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269151323477585854.post-18798597728728838772008-12-30T08:58:00.000-08:002008-12-30T09:11:28.576-08:00Well, I guess I have to start somewhere!I am new at this blogging thing, so it will probably take me a while to get my thoughts together! I am a 44 year old woman(I don't feel like 44.. but what is 44 suppposed to feel like? LOL!) I have been married for 11 1/2 years, have two slobbery dogs, one of which could give "Marley" a run for his money..(Naughty is her middle name), and I have been an elementary school art teacher for 21 years(it's a wonder I am still sane! LOL) My dh and I are childless, but we are licensed foster/adoptive parents(since fall of 2005) and have fostered five children. Our dream is to ultimately adopt, but so far things have not really worked out that way. (I will tell more of this in blogs to come) But we are still hopeful. God is in charge..Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116805863748340980noreply@blogger.com2