Lexy has officially started Hillsborough County Virtual
school and so far so good. Turns out it is the same online program that we used
(and paid for) last year, so she is very familiar with it and it’s working for
her. Since we registered at the last
minute we were a little behind on getting started but I don’t think it will
take her long to catch up.
Both of the kids finished up their 3rd year of
swimming lessons. Lexy is a fish and I
am secure that Rayne can save himself if he falls in now.
About a week and a half ago we took in a 9 month old little
boy that had skull fractures due to being dropped on concrete by his
mother. Lots of stories have been flying
around about how it happened, but at this point only his mother knows the
truth. It happened in a public place
that actually had video cameras and she was charged with domestic violence and
child neglect so there will be a trial.
I do know his parents were having an altercation (not the first time)
and some how the baby ended up on the ground.
The first story I heard was that she threw him, then that he accidently
slipped out of her hands. I prefer the
second version myself.
He is a beautiful little boy, tiny for his age only 17lbs,
but seems to be well cared for. He
attached very quickly to me and follows me around the house begging me to pick
him up. As long as he is touching some
part of me he is fine, but when I have to put him down or walk away from him….
he is not a happy camper. We are working
through this, our doctor said I have to put him down sometimes and let him work
it out. It’s not fun for any of us
though. He is going through a huge
transition and I want him to feel safe and secure. He has had two visits with his parents and
both times mom brought him formula (he is on a very expensive kind) and other necessities. Reports from the visits are that the parents
are appropriate and show genuine concern for his well being. They have to visit separately due to a
restraining order against one of them. I
am going to try and help the mom feel secure through e-mails and photos. I had offered to supervise the visits, but
Monty thought it was a bad idea and he is right. He reminded me that she went to a very scary
place to hurt (or allow) her baby to be injured like that. My hope is that this
will be a huge wake up call for his family, that they will work through their
problems and live happily ever after. A
girl can dream….
As always the kids are welcoming and accepting of our new
baby. They amaze me! They are my extra
set of eyes and ears and are eager to report if he is in any danger. They happily tend to him anytime they can. I don’t know how long he will be with us. As a family we have chosen to only take temporary
placements and the limit we set was a month, any longer than that we get too
attached. There does not seem to be any
family that will be able to take the little guy, and the case plan for the
parents should be pretty simple. They is
no concern about housing or employment (so they won’t have the 6 months to
prove that) basically I believe they will have anger management and parenting
classes that could possible be completed in as few as 2 months. I guess we will just have to take it one day
at a time.
Since we have been back in the swing of fostering I have met
several foster (and homeschooling) moms and am grateful. We have play dates talk on the phone
brainstorm parenting ideas. Foster,
adoptive, homeschooling parents often have unique experiences and it is so
helpful to have other seasoned mama’s for support. I have also plugged back into the local foster
parent association. I had pretty much donated and given away most of our baby
gear. I though lupus would keep me from
being able to foster again and our house is pretty small to store extra stuff. I reached out to the association and they
helped me get some supplies. I am
reminded what a great resource they are to foster families and children. I know I always have a cause and am always
begging for something but….. just in case you are looking for a worthy cause to
donate your used baby/kid/teen/adult clothes and gear to I am your girl. I will be happy to deliver it. It has been a blessing to us and so many
other foster families and children. http://www.hcfpa.org/
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