Foster Care

I have not been posting alot about foster care the main reason is FEAR!   Is it a specific FEAR well sort of. I don’t want to provide too many details and end of hurting a child. But what I am beginning to realize is that I can and should be talking about my feelings and my challenges and my need for grace and support.   His story will be for him to share someday but for now, my story is hard and I want to have it for the future.   We have had the privilege of providing care for five months.  This was a huge and unexpected change but it was what God had put in place.  I knew up front that behaviors and traumas were going to be difficult to manage. What I did not realize is that I feel like I have become an unpaid employee of DSS.   And I am also the ONLY person who will do what I feel is right and appropriate no matter how inconvenient it is.  I am totally overwhelmed and emotional right now so for this post, I am going to make a list of things and activities that have occupied my time for the past week or so.  Lily has started her intership so she is  no longer available to pick up Easton from school.  In addition both Kendall and Zach have been finished with school for at least two weeks. I am constantly trying to figure out who is picking him up on the day that I get a meeting on my schedule. I  am really juggling a full time position as the scheduler.

On Thursday, he had a doctor’s appointment, my thought was cool, I have managed to eliminate at least one phone call as I can get all three of his prescriptions refilled.  Sound reasonable and easy… NOPE!  I asked at the appointment and was told she would put in the orders and the best news, no appointments until September.  We drive home and stop at the pharmacy, no prescriptions. I called and got “oh sorry, we are putting those in now.”   Matt made the second trip on Thursday to pick up prescriptions. (please see below for the rest of Thursday night)  But one of the prescriptions was not refilled, I made four phone calls on Friday as we were traveling. Kendall was gracious enough to make two additional trips to the pharmacy, both after which I understood that they were submitting the final prescription.  Wrong again!  I realized that it was after 5pm so we were out of luck for the weekend. On Monday, I started bright and early trying to get this prescription filled.  Kendall made another trip that was unsuccessful!   Finally at 4:30pm I again spoke with the pediatrician office which informed me that this whole thing was my problem because their policy is that they have three business day to complete a prescription request!

Thursday night, I was woken up at 1am and between 1am and 6:30pm I may have been able to sleep approximately 15 minutes at a time. Yeap I was tired!

This weekend, Matt and I took our anniversary trip.   But while we were gone lots of problems occurred. Lily wrecked her car, Kendall had sun poison and of course behaviors were off the chain.

On Monday, I called and got a dental appointment I have been asking for for 2 months, scheduled for Tuesday as well.  Monday night I was informed that a new CPS case would be opened against me based on statements made at his family visit.

Tuesday around 1pm, I received a call that a CPS visit had to occur today!  This visit based on a swim meet and the worker going to the wrong address occurred between 9:15 and 10pm tonight.

We were informed that this case would stay open at least 30 days.  This includes at least 2 more visits. That need to be schedule.

I am tired and overwhelmed!

Thursday Plans

::Matt and I choice Jeremiah 29:11 as our verse at wedding… For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

My plans for this summer has significantly changed and are total different than what I thought they would be even five months ago. I am excited to see all the things that happen and all the memories made this summer.  Today I thought I would give you an update on just about everything!

Today is my last day before Summer Break!  Kindergarten promotion is tomorrow. And due to our childcare situation, I am using parental leave for next week of workdays and the first three workdays in August!
 Lily is really enjoying her legal internship with Egger. She was informed right before starting that the attorney was leaving the company. This made for a very stressful weekend. However, she is two weeks in with more experience that she had even hoped for. She also has several opportunities to consider!  I also think this has confirmed that she really does want to be in the law field.
 Kendall is looking forward to Catawba College in the fall. She will be entering as a junior with two years planned to finish her degree.  She has received enough scholarships to cover her tuition and  books until she completes her degree.
.Zach is super excited for football and is already attempting to gain weight!  He has decided to attend classes for welding along with high school.
 Haley will finish her nursing degree in August and we plan to join her to celebrate!
I am looking for a busy and fun filled adventure this summer!

May In Review

May has been a super busy and exciting month! I am exhausted! Kendall graduated on Friday night!  Zach is officially a junior and I have four days left of this school year!  I will include a copy of my summer goals at the end of this blog post simply because it will make it easier for me to stay accountable.

Groceries- Goal $800 per month.  We spent $653.50  for the month of May.  This is a huge accomplishment!  I am hoping to stay at or below budget for all three months this summer as this will allow me to restock without spending a fortunate.

Gas- Goal is $400.  Total spent was $492.54 for gas  this month. Gas prices are currently the highest they have EVER been. We have seen the price drop below $4. a gallon in the last four days. I hope this is a trend that will continue.

Blogging-The goal will be 15 posts per month.  I am really proud of this number and feel like I have finally found a new routine that works for me.

Debit-   The goal for 2026 will be to pay off the Home Depot Credit card without interest.  We have several months with large credit card payments now thur September. I am working on paying this off and not adding to our overall debit.  I will be sharing how things are going at the end of the summer. I will be making the first huge payment on this card the first week in June.  I am even more optimistic at this point that we can do this!

No Spend Days- Goal for 10 no spend days a month. Not even going to suggest that I have a clue about this. I will try very hard to keep up with this!

Health/Exercise-I am no hanging out between 171 and 175.  Still here, still the same. I have a doctors appointment and am going to ask about increasing my dosage as well as stopping a prescription medicine.  I have not needed a shot in my knee in over a year! This is a huge accomplishment!

Foster Care- Matt and I completed everything needed for our application on March 31, the actual application was not submitted until May 5 or 6th as of last Wednesday May 27th, we have been approved as licensed foster parents in the state of North Carolina.

Summer Goals

1. Make and order 8 photo books.
2.  Read a total of 8 books.
3. Make and freeze 12 baked ziti’s
4. Make and freeze 6 million dollar spaghetti pies
5. Make and freeze 6 pans of chicken enchiladas.
6. Either walk or exercise 3 times a week for at least 8 weeks
7. Make and freeze 6 taco pastas
8. Make and freeze 6 chicken, broccoli rice casseroles.
9. Make at least 50 meatballs and freeze

Monday Menu Planning

2 full weeks!  That is all we have left until the end of school!  I am using a week of parental leave at the end of the year so that both E and I will be finished at the same time.  I do anticipate that the next two weeks will be non-stop chaos but hey this is life!   I am not sure how much longer I will actually be meal planning ahead of time and not decided what sounds good each morning!  I like to be able to change things up on a whim during the summer to make sure we are using what we have and also what good deals I can find.  Sad find of the week, we are down to 5 pints and 1 quart of salsa!

Breakfast- Saturday- I had bacon, eggs and toast. Matt had a BLT Sunday-French toast Monday-breakfast bowls using 24 eggs so I have enough for breakfast all week and then some! .   Tuesday, Wednesday,  Thursday   and Friday– find it (oatmeal, omelets, cereal and milk, sausage, pop-tarts ,cereal bars, pancakes and eggs).

Lunch- Saturday- Nachos with left over meat from last week   Sunday-Panda Panda   Monday- BLT’s Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday- I went ahead and made up another salad and we are eating leftovers for sure. Friday- definitely eating out!

Dinner- Saturday- Chicken Alfredo with bow tie pasta  Sunday- Everyone had left-overs  Monday-The favorite Leftovers again, I really need to clean out more of the fridge!  Tuesday- Spaghetti. Wednesday-Chicken nuggets and french fries Thursday- Cheese quesadilla and Mexican rice    Friday- Pizza

Sunday Garden Update

The rain was exactly what we needed!  The garden has taken off as you can see in these pictures. I am most excited that we now have full water barrels and have even purchased a third barrel. Because of clean out, I am not sure when we will be able to use it but that will put us at over 900 gallons of rain water!  First up is the tomato beds! I did not lose a single tomato after planting in these beds!  I am equally excited at the row of sunflowers that have started in the front!

Next we have watermelons!  I am positive these will not be ready to enjoy until at least late August but I am still excited!

Everything in the garden beds are green and growing! We have been enjoying lettuce on BLTs and even enough for a couple of salads!

Finally the Greenstalk planters are alive and beautiful!  I am hopefully for lots and lots and lots of peppers this year!

We have determined that the peacock from next door is munching in the garden! I am so hopeful that we have stopped his access!

5 Things Friday

1. For the first time in 22 years, Matt and I have made plans to go away for the weekend without any children!  I need a break and this worked out to be just at the prefect time.  I am not going to give any more details till we are home safe but I am super excited!
2. The garden is looking really good! One big change is the amount of watering we are doing. With that in mind, the current plan is to get one more tote to fill with water. So that even in drought we should be able to not use water that cost money!
The up front cost should be around $50. We are hopeful to get this put in place this weekend as we have a solid week of rain chances and have already filled most of the 2 tanks we have.
3. Foster care is stressful.  I have a ton more stress in relationship to the agency and it’s policies, procedures and expectations than actual dealing with every day kid stuff.
4. Kendall has to attend graduation practice next week otherwise she is completely finished with High School. Zach took an exam today and he is also finished. Davie County has 9 official days with the last one being an early release day. The count down to summer is really really close. I have less than that due to Kendall’s graduation!
5. Since this is Memorial Day weekend and we don’t have school on Monday, I want to finish the book I am reading. And do small repairs on both the Tahoe and Rogue.  Added stress of the Honda has stopped again!

Monday Menu Planning

These next two if not three weeks are the busiest yet!   I am grateful that we were able to do some meal prep this weekend and I am hopeful to continue to start getting things used up and organized so the real meal prep can start the first week I am home. Sunday morning we made a huge batch (two full loaves) of French toast. The best part is that I went ahead and flash froze and moved to bags so they are ready to heat and eat!   Last night (Sunday) I made up 4 bags of muffin mix into mini muffins. Matt was able to package these up for grab and go as well! My goal is to have a realistic plan and stick to it for the remaining 3 weeks of school. I would like to think I could get a jump start on the summer but right now I want to focus on surviving!  Meal planning is not fun right now but needed!

Breakfast- Saturday- I made an omelet. Sunday-French toast Monday-mini muffins.   Tuesday, Wednesday,  Thursday   and Friday– find it (oatmeal, omelets, cereal and milk, sausage, pop-tarts ,cereal bars, pancakes and eggs).

Lunch- Saturday- Raman noodles and left-overs   Sunday-Kimono’s   Monday Wednesday, Thursday- I went ahead and made up three salads to use these days!  Tuesday- depending on how long Kendall’s awards day is I am hoping to eat at home if not I will grab something on the way to Mocksville. Friday- definitely eating out!

Dinner- Saturday- salad spread and crackers  Sunday- Everyone had left-overs  Monday-Crockpot Queso Rice over chips Tuesday- Mashed potatoes and country style steak, green beans. Wednesday-Blackstone meal  Thursday-  Hamburgers and French fries   Friday- Breakfast for dinner

Sunday Garden Update

This is the happy update that I have been waiting on posting!  Except for the need to start supplementing our rain water with spigot water, the garden is coming along nicely. First up our barrier is working and nothing is eating the plants. We also have okra growing!

Our tomatoes are doing awesome! We actually have a couple that are taller than the bed! I am most excited to report that we did not lose any in the regular bed!

We have lots most of the tomatoes that were in the regular beds. I think we are down to 2 tomatoes but the ones that are lower are still looking good!

We have lots of cucumbers that have germinated along with the ones I purchased and planted

. We have around 6 watermelon plants that are growing and lots of cantaloupes

I am very pleased with the squash and zucchini that have finally germinated!

We have two vertical towers on the back deck, one is entirely peppers and the other is peppers and herbs!

We have two planting of green beans ,both are a bush variety!  I will plant vines after the sugar snap peas come out probably in the next 2 weeks!

Finally we have sunflowers growing in front of the tomato beds!

And look how pretty my front door planter is