New Page

Seems I have lot to say today! Just wanted to point out that there has been a new tab added at the top of the page for specific Prayer Requests & Praises.

Also, "The List (Needs)" tab has been updated. The list is getting shorter! :)

Tools

Over the past couple of weeks I have been reading the book, 'Practical Tools for Foster Parents.' It was a pretty good book. I'm not sure there is an amazing book of Fostering. Rules & regulations vary from state to state and  so it would be difficult to present a book that is extremely detailed. But, this particular book was put together by the Boys & Girls Town and did a good job of covering basic parenting skills associated with Fostering.

As a Foster Parent you are constantly monitored and it seems that it really does "take a village" to raise a child. Foster parents (FP's) are just one player on a large team of people that are working together for the benefit of the child. Aside from the Foster Parents, you have the Case Worker, Teachers, Counselors, and of course, the biological family. Not all kids are granted visitation with their family, but most are. Especially as returning to their family is the ultimate goal. The FP's are also subject to a variety of rules and regulations presented by their particular state. It takes a lot of effort to make this machine work. Unfortunately, there are an abundance of stories out there proving that Foster Care is anything but a well-oiled machine.

Knowing that to be the case, I want to go in as prepared as possible. Reading this book was just one step towards that goal. As I said, it gave a good overview. Things to think about when interacting with your Foster Child, the Team, and your own friends and family. It gave basic tools for parenting as well as universal fostering guidelines that should apply regardless of your state.  

It was a beneficial read and something I will probably read again when I get closer to actually bringing a child into the home. For now, I'm on the search for more books that would be beneficial. I know a lot of you are parents, so,

What parenting books have you read and would recommend?

They don't have to be specifically related to fostering, but it would be helpful if they covered subjects related to troubled, difficult, & emotionally hurt children.

Thanks for all of your recommendations in advance! I look forward to seeing what tools are out there to help me prepare.

Heloooooo, Kansas!

Over the Memorial Day weekend I was able to head to Kansas to visit my family. I was also able to get things finalized/set-up for the raffle I am doing there. So, my fundraising efforts in Kansas are now officially underway! If you want to see the prizes up close, the baskets are on display at Skeeter’s Barber Shop in Louisburg, KS. They are in temporary baskets because in my rush to pack for my visit to Kansas I accidentally forgot to pack the real ones. Luckily though, all the goodies that go in the baskets are there & ready to go! (The real baskets will be there in a little under 3 weeks.)

So, if you live near Louisburg, Olathe, Overland Park, Gardner/Edgerton, KC, etc etc….then you need to get a ticket! There are some awesome prizes, divided into 3 different baskets/drawings, up for grabs. If you have missed my previous posts, its ok because there have been some small additions. Here is what you could win:

DINNER & A MOVIE

$10 Quick Trip Gift Card

Dinner for 2 at Red Robin

2 AMC Movie Passes

Price Chopper Coupon Book

Candy 

MASSAGE

Candles

Chocolates

Lotion

Price Chopper Coupon Book

 60 minute Massage at In Good Hands Massage  

LOUISBURG

2 Free Hair Cuts at Skeeter’s Barber Shop

$10 Phillips 66 Gift Card

$10 Lucille’s Gift Card

Price Chopper Coupon Book

Tickets are ONLY $2 each or you can get 3 tickets for $5. That way you save a dollar and get enough tickets to enter all three raffles! Or, you could obviously enter all three tickets into the same raffle – whatever you want to do.

Ok, so how do you get your chance at one of these awesome baskets? I have some people selling for me. The cool people helping me out are:

Tim Gifford / Skeeter’s Barber Shop

Jan Gifford

Toby Gifford

The Kattau Family

The Denny Family

If you want a ticket, but don’t know where exactly to find these people, just email me and I will be happy to help you get a ticket. I wouldn’t want you to miss a chance at some great prizes!

The drawing will take place on July 7th!



Print, Cut, Staple....repeat!

Print, cut, staple... Print, cut, staple...


I have been practicing this routine a lot in the past 2 days. In preparation for my Kansas fundraiser, I have been getting bundles of raffle tickets ready just for YOU!


The raffles are full of some good stuff. I have been lucky enough to have some great items donated*. (Some so great it is going to be very difficult for me to give them away!) Tickets go on sale Memorial Day weekend, so make sure you track down one of my family members to buy a ticket. The baskets will be on display at my dad's shop, Skeeter's Barber Shop in Louisburg, KS. Here is what you can win:

RAFFLE #1: A NIGHT OUT

$10 Quick Trip Gift Card

Dinner for 2 at Red Robin

2 Movie Passes

Candy! 

RAFFLE #2: MASSAGE

Candles & Lotion

Chocolates

60-minute Massage at In Good Hands Massage

RAFFLE #3: LOUISBURG

2 Free Hair Cuts at Skeeter’s Barber Shop

$10 Phillips 66 Gift Card

$10 Lucille’s Gift Card

*A special thanks to Tim & Jan Gifford, Amy Katz, Toby Gifford, and Nancy Gifford, for your donations to the raffle! I really appreciate your support!!!

It Works!!!

Feel free to join me in rejoicing! The subscription feature on the upper right hand side of the page appears to be working! I discovered that it does not immediately send an email once something is posted. It appears to send it on the following day.

So, everyone (except for my parents and grandparents - I already subscribed you via the short list) can hover over the black boxes, click Subscribe, and enter your email address.

Thanks for reading! I can now clean up (delete) all those test posts!

News Updates

This is a brief, test post. Just a couple of things:

1. If you have subscribed to the blog, would you mind letting me know if it is working? (If you haven't signed up, see the "Welcome" post for instructions.)
2. The 'News/Events' page tab up top has been updated. Check out the upcoming events!

Thanks for reading! "Real" entries are coming soon!

Welcome!!!

Welcome to my new blog! The purpose of this blog is to keep you updated on all aspects of my journey towards becoming a licensed Foster Care Parent.


To show you around a little....


At the top of the page there are a few tabs you can check out. The first one allows you to change the page view. I recommend "Classic," but you can view it in whatever manner you like best! Also, you can learn a little "About Me" and my journey to the decision to become a Foster Parent. You can see "The List (Needs)" that covers everything I will be needing to get the house & kid's room ready for the Home Study and placement of children. And, finally, you can see the latest "News/Events," including any fund-raisers, special dates, etc. Finally, there is my "Contact" info. More tabs may be added later if I think of something cool to put up there!


On the top, right side of the page you will see a couple of tiny black tabs. If you hover over them you will be able to see all my previous posts (might not show yet since this is post #1) or subscribe to the blog. Subscribing to the blog means that you will be sent an email directly each time I post something new. That way you won't have to remember to come here all the time to stay up-to-date on my journey. Easy peasy! 

Thank you again for visiting my blog and supporting me in this journey! 

(Feel free to share this blog address with anyone and everyone you think would be interested.)

http://fosteringafuture.blogspot.com/?view=classic