Fostering

Tyson and I decided we wanted to become Foster Parents while we lived here on Guam. It was a decision we made together and one that we both felt good about doing. A lot had to take place for it to happen and the story of how Johne came to live in our home is a special one and LONG so I won't share it all here. But I'll share this for now, fostering has been one of the hardest things but most rewarding things I have ever done. I heard a saying on a show recently saying "You don't start living until you are out of your comfort zone." Our experience on Guam put me outside of my comfort zone, so did this new military life and now having a BOY, a ten year old boy with special needs to take care of definitely put me in a new level of "out of my comfort zone." But life has truly been quite wonderful with him here. 

Like all new things in life it took a lot of adjusting to, for him and for us. Everything took time and I was overwhelmed most every day all day as we figured everything out and got into a routine but the Lord was with us every step of the way. I wouldn't attempt anything like this without relying on Him every single day for help and strength. I've need so much strength, mentally, emotional, spiritually and a lot physical. Johne is not light and I am not that strong, but I work on that every day and I know I am only able to do this with help from above. 

This hangs in his room. 

These are some of the goals he is working on this year. 

He likes to lay out his uniform the night before school. (A kid after my own heart.) 

He begged for a calendar and he is diligent at using it. 

Our once simple mornings turned a bit chaotic with Johne in our home but these lists (Lydia has one too) have changed my life and things are much smoother now. 

He built this bench his first week at cub scouts. Lydia and he often use it as a little table for their after school snacks. 

Bed time routines, pajamas, books &  having a bed was all a new experience to him but one that he now looks forward to. 

He doesn't use the wheelchair in our home, he gets around just fine without it but this means I mop my floors a lot more so the poor kid has a clean place to move about. 

Loving him has come so naturally for me and I am so grateful for that. He is a good kid,  a really good kid and for someone who has every reason in the world to not be happy he is as happy as they come. He is always smiling, laughing, lifting others and I don't lie when I say he never complains, not ever. He is grateful for everything he has been given and He thanks us and Heavenly Father every day in his prayers. Oh, he says the best prayers, they sometimes make my eyes fill up with tears. 

He is one special kid and we are the lucky ones to have him in our  life.