2012 in Review

January -
Meet with CFC
Meet the amazing DM, my CFC licensing worker
Found out that fostering could led to adoption for me
Began to tell family and friends that the Lord was calling me to be a foster mom.
Started being the storyteller for the kids' service at church

February -
Started my 10 weeks of state mandated foster care training class
Meet 12 fabulous couples also called to go through the PS MAPPS II training with CFC as well
Began to worry my first foster care placement would be a pyromaniac.
My motorcycle grandpa died and "How Great Thou Art" was sung at church just the day before
I was able to go home to Michigan for the funeral.
My parents came out for their yearly visit.

March -
Training continued with CFC
Stayed in Arizona for Spring Break
Started making plans to go on a "last mission" trip before fostering
Started fundraising for the trip to Malawi, Africa

April -
My church announces their foster care initiative and mercy support group called Esther's Hope
My sister came out for her Spring Break
Finished my 10 weeks of MAPP training
Continued mounds of paperwork for licensing
Began to update my resume in case any different job positions opened up

May -
Interviewed for a new position within my district
Passed my state home inspection
Received a middle school student advisor job at my 'dream' middle school
Packed up my classroom and moved into an office space

June -
Worked for the district on assessments and curriculum
Trained teachers through my district
Finished my licensing paperwork
Completed my CFC home study
Prepared the guest bedroom to be a girl bedroom
The Lord began to shut the doors for me to go to Malawi

July -
Visited Michigan for 10-days and made it to Mackinac Island!
Went a wedding in California and held my sweet baby Eza the entire day!
Submitted my fostering license paperwork to the state
Met VB, my new on-going licensing worker with CFC
Started my new job on July 23
Received my state license on July 23
I started blogging, in order to be able to turn off my brain and sleep at night
Started the first day with teachers on July 31
Miss M moved in on July 31

August -
First day of school for Miss M
First day of administration for me
First CFT meeting
First time being asked to bring Ms. O home with us.

September -
First time suspending a kid from school
Gave up prime time TV for blogging and sleeping
Began to get the ball rolling to have Ms. O come and live with us.

October -
Ms. O came to live with us.
A friend bought Ms. O a ticket to join us in Michigan.
The three of us flew to Michigan for fall break.
My first Halloween with girls.

November -
Began to reach out and meet with girls' mom
Bought a bigger car
My sister and niece came out for their yearly visit.
Made Thanksgiving dinner and hosted it for the first time.
Began house-hunting for a house with an extra bedroom and a backyard!

December -
Survived a 9 year old's birthday week
Bought a Christmas tree for the first time
Hung outside Christmas lights for the first time
Didn't go home to Michigan for the first time
Made new traditions here with the girls for Christmas
Didn't go home for my birthday for the first time
Still turned another year older despite my family not being present
Celebrated New Year's Eve with 14 kids and 5 adults - none whom I knew a year ago!