Dear Newly Licensed Foster Parent

I got a letter from the State today. It was from the head of foster care in the state. I didn't really read it as I was pressed for time, but the "Dear Newly Licensed Foster Parent" brought tears to me eyes as the journey feels more real by the day.


It included a really nicely laminated reference sheet and how to call and schedule appointments for children in my care. Again, I just skimmed that, too.


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Next week I am getting together with my neighbor and we are going to work together to prep some freezer meals so that when I do take in placements the meal aspect of it will be easy.


We plan to make meatballs, and meatloafs, and crockpot freezer meals, and I'll probably throw in some stuffed shells. I will also make some sloppy joe mix and taco seasoned meat for easy and quick meals in a pinch.


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Tomorrow is the day that I get to meet my new licensor. My prior licensor saw me to licensure, but was then promoted to a licensing supervisor. This new lady has been great in emails and phone calls and I am rather excited to finally meet her face to face.


I have a feeling that it will only be a matter of time before I receive that call with a placement.


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So many things are coming up in my life and it is hard to commit to any of them.


I am missing out on a race because I thought I would have a placement by now, and I also spent the money somewhere else, as well as trying to save up for my half marathon in just over 8 weeks.


I could not commit to it and I wanted to so bad, but clearly no bad enough to make it work.


There is a concert coming up in September that I am going to with a friend. I told her to buy the tickets. I am going. I am going to have a good time.


There is a music festival the following Saturday that I am going to go to with my family that following weekend.


Just so much.


And I am still looking for backup sitters. I need people to watch the kiddos because I need to stop living my life with a "what if" mentality. I have been doing that since May. I have held off on things and places that I wanted to go and wanted to do because it was likely that I would have a placement.


Clearly, I did not nor do I have a placement.


It will happen. Soon. I know that. The statistics prove that there is a child -- children -- that need my home. They need my love. They need open arms that embrace them and help them embrace and prepare and excel with change.