Friday's Child

For some reason Friday happens to be the day that most children are taken into foster care. Maybe it's the build up of the weekly happenings, perhaps it's because it's the day after most pay days. Whatever the reason it leads to a rather sad statistic being declared.

So yesterday, being Friday, I sat at home wondering whether to make plans or amuse myself around the house while trying to convince myself that I wasn't really waiting for the phone to ring. So after choosing the latter choice and picking at various ideas of distraction, I suddenly realised how selfish I was being. Here I was waiting and hoping for a child to be placed with me so I can be of use and wondering why there was no ring to my phone, when the thought dawned on me that I really ought to be grateful and thankful that there was no call. No call means that no child's life is suddenly ripped out of its familiarity, no homes are torn apart or families destroyed. Hopefully and of most importance it means that no child is unsafe at this particular point in time. I so hope that is true. So I said a quiet prayer for Friday's children and felt some peace that this Friday held some hope in it....and then I went out.....

I'm Pregnant!!!

Ok well maybe the title of this Blog is not true.... But I do have some of the symptoms of this condition...

Firstly I'm feeling rather bloated...hmmm perhaps that has something to do with the delicious turkish delight that I just ravenously devoured. So maybe that's not it.

But I do have tired and aching feet....well ok perhaps that is to do with the wearing of my fabulous new knee high boots all day that I am so totally in love with. Ok so perhaps that's not a valid symptom either.

But there is the sense of expectancy in the air. The one where you know any minute the phone is going to ring and suddenly a child will enter this life and change things forever. So if the definition of pregnancy is the expecting of a child then in my medical opinion - this is what i've got. Hmmm by now your probably thinking that maybe I should have studied medicine or at least paid a little more attention in my human biology classes, but I like my definition and so I'm sticking with it.

The reason for my latest medical diagnosis is due to my new shiny pool fencing having it's first official visit yesterday. Within minutes of it and my Fostering District Placement Officer meeting I was suddenly involved in the official signing of papers and submitting of forms. It turns out it was love at first sight for them both and now I am finally a fully registered foster carer. This means that now I get to sit by the phone ready to lurch into action (and possibly reaction) at any minute.

I wonder if this is a good time to mention that I am not really good at patiently waiting and do not enjoy being unable to plan things out in detail? Hmmm perhaps I better not mention that yet.....

Birthdays truly do last forever...

Happy Birthday to my brother today :)

.....and since he is working away and not around on his birthday I have decided to celebrate by talking about my birthday instead :) It's not that I really do believe it's all about me, although some people at my work may disagree, as the common saying seems to be "It's not all about you Gail". I'm not really sure why they say that but anyway lets get back to me!

My birthday was a month ago but it seems it hasn't ended. This week I recieved some truly lovely belated pressies and they are just too beautiful to keep to myself. So it's time to share....

I so love getting flowers and this sweet little geranium was just the beginning :)

Next came this gorgeous soft silky cushion with embroidered flowers.......

I also got this cute little red lantern which I immediately had to put a tea light candle into so that we could look at the reflections it cast on the roof.....

And even more lanterns ...a matching pair ....

and a cute tote bag which is so totally going to start going to school with me.

And a little kiwi friend from my kiwi friend.

Wow how spoilt am I. They were all such thoughtful presents from some very dear friends who have totally spoilt me with things that I so love. Now I must confess that on my birthday I was absolutely spoilt as well so to be still living in the birthday glow is so totally unexpected.

But no ...........I won't be giving any of it back :) I am now considering having another birthday again next year. Think I might even make it an anual event. Hmmmmm..... is that greedy?

But just to prove that it really isn't all about me I'm going to finish with sending out the biggest happy birthday to my brother who is really having the birthday today. As soon as you get home I'm sure your going to get spoilt just as much as me :)

Beginnings

Armed with my Early Childhood degree in Education and perhaps an overly alert sense of self preservation, I feel I may be ready....Perhaps I can use the glass in the frame to deflect the light into their eyes and thus allow for a swift and floorless get away. If this doesn't work I have my sword of courage ready which consists of a mobile phone and all of the people I have ever met, who have ever had children pre warned and already programmed into speed dial. And so begins my adventures as a Foster Carer. Well sort of ....

I actually finished the assessment and training process about 6 months ago. My application went before a panel and I was officially welcomed into the world of Carers. I was appointed to a District and registered, even had my official welcome visit from the District Director and then....pool fencing crisis occurred.

Without going into too much detail about changes in policies, plans being drawn up, submitted and then redrawn and resubmitted, grants being applied for and payment changes, and not to mention pool fencing companies not being able to build pool fences. My few weeks of waiting have turned into 6 months of many phone calls, emails, discussions and arrrrrrgggghhhhs.

But today changed everything. I got home from work and discovered my pool fence was complete. And now the adventure is about to begin.....