There is so much good that I
can say about our experience as foster parents. We had five beautiful
infants and children. They ranged in age from two weeks to two years
when they arrived with us. They were each special, and each face is
framed in a collage frame on our bedroom wall so that we can pray for
them nightly.
We have fun memories of
taking them for their first swim, their first 18 hour road-trip (okay
for some this was NOT fun, but still fond memories), first plane
ride, first train ride, first vacation, first words, first steps, and
first birthdays. One we have his photo of the trip home from the
hospital. Another his first time seeing a horse. I have fond memories
of a pretty little girl who enthusiastically yelled “YES!” and
headed to the door when I asked if she wanted to go shopping. This
same princess also picked out her own clothes, I have yet to mother
another with such distinct style opinions. I also have pictures of
first black-eyes and stitches (thanks to our son and a die-cast
train).
These children conditioned
and trained us as new parents. They gave us experiences that we might
not have had otherwise, like the joy of waking several times a night
to feed a newborn or the time you rush in at 2am to lift a crying 15
month old from a crib and have him vomit down your back only to
realize he also vomited in his crib. Or the baby who climbs
EVERYTHING, who requires you to be in the hallway to remind him to go
to bed and not climb out of his crib. I also practiced my pig-tail
and braid skills on a couple of princesses.
You see these are unique
experiences that we did not have with our son. Things that we would
have “missed out on” had we not fostered. Don't misunderstand, we
have just as many (probably more) beautiful memories with our son,
and so many more to come.
Each was a true blessing to
our family, and these stories represent just a fraction of the joy
they brought to our lives. Yes, loving kids was the best part of
being foster parents. I cannot complain even a moment about them,
they were all a gift. I would never trade these memories, or my time
with these kids, not for anything.
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