In less than a month, we have the adoption for our daughter on the court docket. I have seen in the past 9 months since meeting her that she is slowly learning to trust us. She completely identifies herself as a McGaughey and even started the school year out with our name, although it is not legal yet. We still have some struggles, but they are becoming fewer and further between. I look at her as my own. It is an amazing thing that God does when he gives us a supernatural love for someone else that didn't originate as our own. We greatly look forward to this day next month as the same day of her adoption is also the 7th birthday of our other son that we are fostering and hope to adopt. Of course court is during the school day, so the kids are elated that they get to miss some school! It will be a dream come true and a day we have waited for for a long time. Her chosen name is Sadie Aileen McGaughey, initials S.A.M. Aileen is pronounced eye-leen. We came up with this name months ago, and she selected it from a few other choices. Aileen is Irish, and although we have no idea if she has any Irish blood in her like the rest of us McGaughey's and Farrell's, but she is now chosen Irish. Not many people can say their parents chose them. That is one amazing bragging right of an adopted child!
Fostering is certainly not all kicks and giggles. We have been challenged more in the past number of months in so many different ways. Our marriage has been tested, our finances have been tested and our emotional health and energy has been extremely tested. It is not a battle for the weak... good thing He is strong when we are weak! We would covet your prayers and support in any way as we continue in this. We still have a long way to go to see these sweet kids heal, open up and learn to trust us before I feel like I can say they have truly moved on from their past traumas. I have always preferred to only work part time outside of the home as mentally I didn't think I could do well enough to handle more than that without losing my sanity. Becoming a foster mom is like taking on another full time job, in addition to my part time dietitian job and my full time job of being a mom to bio kids. Just since June, I have had 23 appointments for my newest kids; whether that is to see specialist physicians, case workers or CASA volunteers. This does not even count the weekly therapist appointments on Monday nights or phone calls or conferences that have taken place. I don't write this to brag, but just to be honest about life as a foster parent. It is a lot of work. But it is work with a goal of changing souls, and there is no other work I would rather do more than that.
It takes a village to raise six kids! I have said it before, and I will say it again... Ryan and I have the best village! We have amazing, supportive parents and family that has been so encouraging to us. Our parents have come to help us move furniture, paint, organize, do laundry, watch the kids and the list goes on. My awesome aunt in Washington has a weekly date night with the kids via Facetime so they can get some one on one reading time and help with math! I have some outstanding babysitters that genuinely love my kids and are faithful in showing up on time and going above and beyond to care for them. One is coming up with sight word games/activities so she can do more than just "homework" when she watches them after school. How amazing is that!? And she cooks too! I can never thank God enough for how he has provided. It's humbling when I type this, as I so easily forget how He has provided in the midst of daily challenges.
Fostering is certainly not all kicks and giggles. We have been challenged more in the past number of months in so many different ways. Our marriage has been tested, our finances have been tested and our emotional health and energy has been extremely tested. It is not a battle for the weak... good thing He is strong when we are weak! We would covet your prayers and support in any way as we continue in this. We still have a long way to go to see these sweet kids heal, open up and learn to trust us before I feel like I can say they have truly moved on from their past traumas. I have always preferred to only work part time outside of the home as mentally I didn't think I could do well enough to handle more than that without losing my sanity. Becoming a foster mom is like taking on another full time job, in addition to my part time dietitian job and my full time job of being a mom to bio kids. Just since June, I have had 23 appointments for my newest kids; whether that is to see specialist physicians, case workers or CASA volunteers. This does not even count the weekly therapist appointments on Monday nights or phone calls or conferences that have taken place. I don't write this to brag, but just to be honest about life as a foster parent. It is a lot of work. But it is work with a goal of changing souls, and there is no other work I would rather do more than that.
It takes a village to raise six kids! I have said it before, and I will say it again... Ryan and I have the best village! We have amazing, supportive parents and family that has been so encouraging to us. Our parents have come to help us move furniture, paint, organize, do laundry, watch the kids and the list goes on. My awesome aunt in Washington has a weekly date night with the kids via Facetime so they can get some one on one reading time and help with math! I have some outstanding babysitters that genuinely love my kids and are faithful in showing up on time and going above and beyond to care for them. One is coming up with sight word games/activities so she can do more than just "homework" when she watches them after school. How amazing is that!? And she cooks too! I can never thank God enough for how he has provided. It's humbling when I type this, as I so easily forget how He has provided in the midst of daily challenges.
In early August we started renovating our basement. It is nearly complete, with three new bedrooms and a full bath. Girls needs space. Each one of them has a unique feature to their room. One is the biggest, one has a window and one has nook. It's nicer to phrase it that way, otherwise the unfairness lines may come in to play! They have all turned out very nice, although final touches like closet doors and light fixtures getting installed, and painting trim still need to get done. We couldn't wait until final completion, so the girls moved in their new rooms last week once carpet was installed. I must say, I kind of miss them being upstairs and closer to me!
Not much longer and you can see pictures of Sadie Aileen McGaughey!