mamalisafosters

The NO

In early May 2018 I made the heartbreaking phone call to our CPS Case Worker to inform her that I would not be adopting the boys. I had to force the words out of my mouth. I couldn’t believe I was saying them. The tears flowed. “OK,” she said, “we will move forward with findingContinue reading “The NO”

The Community

Prior to 2010 I didn’t know the true meaning of “community.” That is, the idea of a servant-minded group of authentic people who truly care about me and sacrifice for me. Since my own family doesn’t operate this way I had no idea that complete strangers would actually do this! People I barely knew takingContinue reading “The Community”

The TRAUMA

Four years ago I thought trauma was merely an event that happens to some people and some not. I thought, it’s too bad that you had to go through a traumatic event but you just move on, right? Time heals all wounds, doesn’t it? Well, that’s not the case at all for childhood trauma. AContinue reading “The TRAUMA”

10 Fascinating Facts About Adopting Through Foster Care

Since I was not adoption-minded when I started fostering it wasn’t until I had my boys over a year (and decided to adopt them) that I learned so many wonderful benefits of adopting through foster care! Here are the fascinating facts about adopting through foster care in Texas. See? Look at ALL THE PERKS ofContinue reading “10 Fascinating Facts About Adopting Through Foster Care”

The VISITS

What I didn’t realize when I started heading down the foster care path is that the children taken into foster care are supposed to have their first visit with their biological parents within the first 48 hours of being removed. Sounds crazy, right? Let’s rip you out of your parents arms only to take youContinue reading “The VISITS”

The ARRIVAL

Just 2.5 hours after learning about J and X over the phone I saw a stranger getting out of a van with a child and I rushed to meet them in the parking lot. Two CPS workers I had never met arrived. One held a very round chubby baby (X) wearing only a plain whiteContinue reading “The ARRIVAL”

The CALL

There is nothing more exciting in the foster care licensing process than to get your first placement call! It’s THE. CALL. you’ve been waiting for! Some people wait hours, some wait months (or even a year), I waited four days!! There is SO MUCH build up to this moment: Who am I going to get?Continue reading “The CALL”

Foster Care Is Not Adoption

When I started fostering in 2017 I realized that nearly everyone I knew thought I had adopted kids! I even had people congratulate me! 😀 NEWSFLASH: Don’t congratulate a foster parent when a foster child is placed with them. You’re basically celebrating the fact that a child was in such a reckless situation that theyContinue reading “Foster Care Is Not Adoption”

The License

Can you become a licensed foster parent as a single person? Yes you can!! Here’s a fun graphic. What does it take to become a licensed foster parent? In the State of Texas you must meet the following requirements: be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults provide relative andContinue reading “The License”

Why Foster Care?

Just 5 years ago I didn’t really understand foster care. I didn’t know how kids entered or left foster care. I didn’t know that kids spent years upon years in the foster care system because things are so massively broken. I was oblivious to the enormous drug crisis and need for foster parents. I wasContinue reading “Why Foster Care?”