Ups and Downs and Lessons to Learn

Hello, friends! The past couple of weeks have been full of ups and downs. Here's a list for you (starting with the downs, so we end on a high note).

Downs:
Cleaning the vomit off of the living room carpet (18 hours later when I discovered it)
Fighting with my foster daughter about showering
The dog across the street whose owners have never heard of the word "leash"
Feeling like a one-man band at church
General, extreme exhaustion this weekend

Ups:
My foster daughter doing well at the doctor's office
Practicing with the new church softball team
My homemade meatballs getting a thumbs up from my foster daughter
Discovering a new favorite show, "Leverage" (check it out)
Hearing my nephew giggle over the phone

As I wrote this list, I divided my life into two basic categories: one involving my foster daughter, and one not. It was harder to come up with things that didn't involve her than I expected. I'm learning that everything I do affects her, even if I don't think it does or should. Everything I do involves her, even if I don't think it does or should. I talk a lot about what she needs to work on, but I have so much to work on as well to be the best parent I can be.

Well, time to go. Someone needs help setting up the Wii. I'll give you a hint... it's not Kensi. This is Iowa Girl Meets World, signing off.

A Quiet Afternoon

Hello, friends! I'm writing to you on a rare quiet afternoon. Usually at this time I'm at the park, watching my foster child play and keeping my dog from jumping on everyone she sees. Today, however, my child has a borrowed DS game to play, giving me an opportunity to just sit for awhile.

(Shortly, though, I'll probably get up and do the dishes. What does it mean when I'm the responsible one in the house?)

I'm trying to come up with an appropriate analogy for what the last 20 or so days have been like. I wouldn't call them a roller coaster ride, because those freak me out. Let's call this experience so far a story. Stories have beginnings. This story began April 18th. It was a running start, no easing in here. Stories have exciting parts and slow parts and sweet parts and stressful parts.

Exciting parts: her arrival, getting her enrolled and started at a school with great educators, her first time at Midweek school.

Slow parts: lazy afternoons like this one, those peaceful couple of hours after she goes to bed, walking home with the dog after dropping her off at school in the morning.

Sweet parts: being called "Mom", watching her with Kensi, her telling me she feels at home here.

Stressful parts: brushing her hair, getting her to school on time, catching her stealing.

Stories also have a variety of characters. My child is one, but there are others: my caseworker, her caseworker, her teachers, her counselor, her doctor, all of the people at church who have been incredibly supportive.

(And the dog, of course. Can't forget the dog.)

I suppose that's enough sitting around for me. The dishes await. I hope you've all enjoyed this update on the life of a foster parent. Until next time!