Fostering

I have a friend and school mum, who I will call Angel (cause she is) who along with the rest of her family (husband and kids) foster children.
All I can say is that I am in total awe of Angel and am immensely proud to know her and her family.

This past weekend was however very hard for them.

Let's take a few steps back.....
Last year they started fostering, they had an older girl for a few weeks and then they looked after a 6 month old baby whilst the adoption papers were going through. Angel worked with the new parents to ensure they understood the baby's routine for at least 2-3 weeks prior to the baby leaving them and she was also available to them for a few weeks after to ensure they had a smooth transition.

At the beginning of this year they got a call and were asked to take a 3yr old for a couple of weeks, short version of the story is that it turned out there was a 1yr old sibling as well and the services were going to separate them. Angel said NO, she declared that it was in their best interest to keep the siblings together as long as possible especially as the services were already considering inter family adoption of the siblings separately.
So Angel started appearing at school with 2 extra people in tow.
It shocked our whole world, well the small community of mum's who are all friends because we all have kids the same age. We were shocked because the children were adorable, friendly and full of life. It surprised us that ones so young could have so much spirit after the neglect they had suffered.
However, 6 months later and these 2 little darlings were still in Angel's care! Yep the system was not working really really hard to place them, they seemed happy with the care they were receiving. Which on the one hand is a lovely compliment of Angel and her family but on the other hand not good for the little ones as they really needed to start having a settled permanent life. Now although Angel was working hard to get these children settled she was never happy for them to be taken from their family and placed into another family whilst waiting for adoption, she was determined that they would not be moved around the system too much if she could help it.

So after a lot of communication from Angel to the services they have finally managed to place the older child with extended family. An aunt who lives a long way away from here and has family herself but has the heart to take on 1 more.

This is where the sad part comes in folks......

The 3yr old, who we have all grown to love, who runs up to us and gives us all hugs every time we meet at school, who has had a birthday whilst with us all and is now 4yrs old and has even started to make friends because Angel pushed for the child to attend Kindergarten whilst in her care.
The same little person who when asked how are you? Would answer with either of the following answers "I'm naughty or I'm good"! Has left us all this past weekend. The process finally worked and the child has moved with their aunt.

It was sad. I have never known a community so hit be sadness over the loss of a gorgeous little 4yr old.
They will be sadly missed, we wish them all the best in life, we wish them nothing but happiness and the ability to be a 4yr old from now on, not someone who had to fend for themselves and siblings! We hope all their dreams come closer and they have a happy life.

However, the 18 months old sibling is still with us and I can see further sadness and loss when their finally get placed.
It has definitely been a village effect with these children and we have all been involved and until this past weekend I don't think any of us realised just how much we were involved.

Things I'm Loving

Over here at MnM's blog she is once again holding the weekly 'things I'm loving series'






I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.  

Supporting Friends
I love supporting friends, cheering them on when they have had a bad day, being behind them with support when they are stepping outside of their comfort zone.
Some good friends has just had an offer accepted on a house they would like, yea for them, although not so fast as it could all go pear shape in the next few weeks and I just hope it doesn't, but we are here to support them and help which ever way we can.

Birthdays
Who doesn't love birthdays?

We still have banners up in the dining room from Alex's birthday on Monday. Ben has informed me twice now that they really should be taken down as it is not his birthday any more, yea sure, at the weekend, but for now I love remembering that it was his special day and what a special time it was for me 7 years ago.

Snuggle Blankets
Yes you read right, snuggle blankets, you know the ones, those blankets that have arms in them so you snuggle under the blanket but have your arms free but still warm.

I have always wanted one and Steve said he would leave me if I ever dreamed of buying one, and just to be clear he doesn't want one!
However how could I resist when K-mart had some really cheap ones on sale this week? $9 for an adult one and $7 for a child's one. So guess what......?
I brought 4, yep, one for each of us including Steve.
Sure it won't be too long before he happily snuggles under his one evening whilst watching tv!

Girls Nights
As a mother I love having the odd night out with the mum's from school to gain our sanity back, even just for 2 hours.
So girls night has come round again, just prior to the school holidays. Next Tuesday we are going out for dessert and a drink. Should be great fun, can't wait.

Don't forget, if you want to take part in 'things I'm loving' then skip on over here

Things I am Loving....

Today I am reflecting on the things I am loving....

Rich Toffee Bars - yes I am loving food, well certain food anyway. I am trying to do Weight Watchers but without using too much of their own food. I want this weight lose to work with ordinary everyday food so when I stop I can continue with food I am use to, haing said that I ahve found their Toffee Bars and they are delish. They are sweet and gooey and just get you through that craving for chocolate you may have, but at just 2 points a bar they are well within the limits of my food for the day.

I am loving little children having a school disco - last night I got to help at the senior disco, it was so cute. All these little 9&10yr old girls out in their best little party frocks dancing away. I love the fact they wanted to wear their best dress to a disco, I know how soon that will change and they will flip to jeans and tops that are as tight as they are short! Ben wore long sleeves and got so hot he turned pink, but he had a blast and is already talking about when they might have another!

I am also loving home help - we got a new sitter this week who helps by collecting the boys from school and brings them home, does homework with them and feeds them dinner.
The boys are lobing her already and the chores are getting done and the homework complete. Life is back to running smoothly for then moment, so what's not to love.

Go check out over at Paisley Jade's what others are lobing loving this week
Have a great weekend

Things I'm Loving....

As Paisley Jade says every Friday.....

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.


Today I am loving the weather.
It was one of those days where when you wake it is a little cool and foggy but once the sun comes up the fog disperses and suddenly you are left with this glorious day.
The sky is blue and the sun is shinning.
Now I remember why I love living in New Zealand. This is one of those beautiful left over summer days that pop up at the beginning of autumn.

I am loving surprises too.
Well surprises for the children are even more fun. This morning when we dropped the boys at school there were 2 hot air balloons launching from the school grounds. I have never seen the boys run into school that fast before, they were so eager to see the balloons.
Once I got to work I nipped back to school to find out what was happening.
Turns out one of the parent's father's owns one of the balloons and decided to go flying today. So they cleared it with the Principle to be able to launch from the school. Well we had the sun and the glorious skies but sadly no wind once the balloon was blown up.
1 of the balloons did just manage to lift off, with one of the teachers inside, and then headed out over Hamilton, unfortunately when the bell went to start school we actually had no idea as to when that teacher was going to be back as we could all see the balloon gently floating over Hamilton heading north!
The children thought this was wonderful that their teacher had floated away and was coming back anytime soon.
The balloons totally disrupted school though because when the bell went at 9, no one wanted to move, they were giving up and down rides to the kids if they had parents there at the time, so many of the classes stood around and watched the balloons and then about 9.20 the balloon finally ran out of gas so they had to fold it down, the kids loved watching how fast they grounded the balloon and folded the canvas up, it was fascinating to watch.
think there will be many stories written today at school about how the balloons came to the school.
Such fun, thanks to Rebecca's dad for giving the school such joy on a glorious Friday morning.

I am also loving my weight lose.
Yes I lost another 500g (1.1lb) this week taking my total to 2kg (4.4lb).
Slow and steady still working and that is all I wanted.

Why don't you pop over to Paisley Jade where she is hosting this weeks Things I'm Loving for us to all join in with. Always great to get a boost of good feelings from others.