It's been a while since I've posted. I haven't really had much to say. (Shocking, I know.) You probably know by now that we were not selected for the most recent sibling group that we had submitted our home study for. I didn't take it as hard as I expected to but it was still difficult. If waiting for children is this hard I can only imagine how difficult it is for the children waiting for a family.
When we first submitted our home study and then shortly thereafter submitted again I had a hard time with the planning part. I want to plan and be as prepared as we possibly can be but there's really only a tiny bit I can plan. I also wanted to put everything else on hold. I had a hard time planning for family trips or events not knowing if we would have more children or not. I think I've finally let go of that.
Life is continuing for us. Life is good. The big boys are out of school for summer and we've made it a full week into summer vacation. We have lots of activities and trips planned and it's really nice that the kids are at a point that we can go, go, go and they don't fall apart quite so much. Last weekend we attended six parties in four days and nobody completely melted down! Now, if you're reading this and you know me even a little bit, you know how much I enjoy social events. Even with a hefty 21 month old on my back sneaking in a 20 minute nap here and there, it was w wonderful weekend. The other four kids did their own things, checking in with me here and there and enjoying their friends and activities. Did I mention how delightful it all was?
When we're doing all these fun things I often think about what it's going to be like when we add to our family. Will we get a six year old boy to even things out with the boys? He can bunk with the boys and play legos and ride bikes and go on camping trips. Or will we get 3 and 4 year old girls that will keep us all on our toes and play dress up with the girls and squeal and giggle? Or will we rock the boat and add a boy at the bottom and a girl at the top? See what I mean? The possibilities are kind of crazy. It's so much easier giving birth!
I wish I could take a peek at God's chapter on the Shipp family. I want to know what He has in store for us! Should we go ahead and get licensed for foster care and welcome and embrace one child (since there's a limit of six children in the home for foster care)? We would likely have a placement much sooner, but it wouldn't likely be a forever thing. We could specify a very young child and give that child as much love and stability as we possibly can and wait to see what happens. Should we look at other adoption resource sights and look at children all over the country? Should we just sit back and wait for the right child/children to fall into our lap? I know that whatever we do God will use it for our good and His glory. But I just want to do the right thing.
As you can see, I'm full of questions today. But I'm content with where we are right this minute. (And that's not just because the little one is napping.) It's still so weird having a 21 month old baby of the family. Any other time I've had a 21 month old I've either had a newborn or been very near to delivery. I don't know if this toddler is busier than all the rest were or if I'm just more aware of it. She's definitely busy though!
Would you continue to pray for us as we seek to discern God's direction and will for our family? And as we try for patience and peace with His perfect plan? And pray for our future child/children to know the love of the Father, and to be well connected and safe with their current foster family.
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