Happy News!!

This week we were able to hear our babies heart beat. It is so exciting feeling this little one growing inside of me.

Struggling

I want to be able to help our foster son. It is so hard when you want someone to make good choices and take advantage of the opportunities that are being given them and they don't care.
I am asking for prayers that God will give me patience. wisdom, and endurance to deal with the situations that are arising. I was reduced to tears today but a total lack of responsibility and respect. He want to be treated 17, but seems to operate and about the emotion age of 5 or 6. It is really rough dealing with the lying it just seems to eat at me.
Please pray.
Thanks

Better Days

Well we have had a few better days. After taking to "S" last Tuesday night about some of our concerns with his behavior. He seemed to listen better this time around and we have had several days that went really well. He is taking more personal responsibility and being helpful without giving us a huge attitude. He has also started some medicines that seem to be making him very sleepy but if they can help him have an overall better out look on life maybe they are good for him in the long run.

This morning he spent some time talking to me about college and options for after he ages out of the foster care system. He seems to want to make better choices and make something of him life. He has been going to church with us and also participating in some of the youth group activities in our town.

We just pray that we can be vessels through which Christ can work in these kids lives.

Time

We have been staying quite busy with our latest foster placement. We have to be constantly reminding ourselves that we have to teach basic life skills before we expect him to do them. For example it was getting on my nerves when he was spitting on the ground towards people as we were going for a walk yesterday. Jonathan had to remind me that he may not understand that it is rude to do.

Also, it seems impossible to get this guy to understand the concept of time and being on time to things. He thinks that it is crazy that we want to know where he is and when he will be back. From what we have gathered his previous FP allowed him quite a bit of freedom to do exactly as he pleased and he had not had practice at being accountable for where he is and what he is doing. I am sure that this has contributed to some of the trouble that he has gotten himself into.

When he first moved in with us we make it quite clear that we need to know where he is, who he is with (if it is not a structured activity), and when he will be back. He doesn't seem to respect us on this and has taken off without telling us where he is going and when he will be back. Like today, I dropped him off for an appointment on my way to work and told him that his IL would be picking him up. When she got there to pick him up he wasn't there. I get a frantic call from Jonathan asking if I still have him, which I didn't. They did find him. But to me it seem very reasonable for him to call if things change and let someone know what is going on. Are we expecting to much? He is 17 and will be transitioning into an independent living situation in about 3 months. Any ideas of how to help him understand why this is important and get his to take some initiative.

There are so many things that this guy need to learn, but this one is the one that is bothering me the most. I was taught to ask for permission not tell what I was going to do. And I think that at least letting us know what he is up to is a reasonable request.

Little One on the Way

We are going to be having a little one join our family this summer. 
I am so excited. 
I can't wait to meet this little person.