Foster Parents

I have been thinking a bit about people that are foster parents. I think it takes special people to be able to do this. I can't imagine taking in a child/children and giving them everything that a parent gives a child--shelter, security, food, love, and so much more--knowing that that child/children can and probably will be taken from you at any moment. Wouldn't it be hard to put your heart on the line like that? On a regular basis?

Matt's brother and his wife have been foster parents for a few years. They have taken in many children over the years. I know that there have been a few that they have wanted to keep in their family. Only to have them taken away. I think this would be so hard! You would have to get so attached. And then to not know what kind of situation YOUR kids will be placed in next. Like I said, I think it takes special people to be able to do this.

They brought Olivia into their home on November 1, 2006. She was 3 months old. She had just been released from a hospital stay that lasted more than a month. The reason she was in the hospital is because she had a severe skull fracture courtesy of her biological father. They loved her from the moment they saw her. The doctors have always been unsure of what kind of long term problems this injury would cause her. She continues to see many specialists, including neurology, neurosurgery, opthalmology, and audiology. All of them say she is a miracle baby with how well she is doing, given what happened to her.

Olivia is a very happy, active girl, full of energy. She loves music and dancing. She also loves to play with her babies and read books. She is very much a momma's girl.

We were thrilled last month when we heard the news: They were finally going to get to adopt Olivia!! She has been their daughter in every sense of the word for almost two years. Now nothing will change, except that she is legally theirs and cannot be taken away. They came to Utah early July and were able to have her sealed to them in the Bountiful Temple. I was lucky enough to take some pictures for them. They also have a foster baby right now, so we'll see what happens in the future. Congratulations Dan and Melissa! You can visit their blog here, if you're interested.