Preparations...

In preparing to foster and foster-to-adopt, there are certain things I will need to prepare the kids rooms and for the kids. Making a wish list and beginning to get a few things. :)

http://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=86200032162

http://amzn.com/w/22TD90SB5S4WD

Kids Rooms: The beds, dressers, and curtains have been ordered.  I received a very nice gift from a great friend (underbed storage!), THANK YOU! The twin comforters I was going to get are out of stock, so I'll have to find others or wait until they get more.  My sis found something that will work as a great toy box. THANKS SIS!

2nd half of STAR training...

We had the 2nd half of STAR training last night.  The first topic/chapter was on sexual abuse.  It was a difficult topic in general, and then was even more difficult for me personally.  We got through it, and learned a lot to help the children placed in our care. We also went over teaching and discipline last night.  Tonight we have the 3rd and final part of STAR training.  I think tonight we learn about SIDS/SBS/Water Safety, and then about communicable diseases and other health topics. 

The adventure continues...

Rooms...

Ordered today: beds, mattresses, bedding, pillows, dressers, curtains

Should be in by next Friday, and then I can finally begin to put the kid's rooms together! :)  Or at least get started.... Ha!

STAR training...

It has been a very long, but good day. 8 hours of training today. Have 3hrs on Tuesday, 3hrs on Wednesday, and then another 8 hours next Saturday. 2hrs on the 30th, and then CPR/First Aide on the 12th, and then I should be finished with training! Well, ok, finished with the initial training anyway. :)

STAR (pre-service) training...

Tomorrow I have STAR (pre-service) training all day.  Looking forward to learning everything I can, and to meeting more foster parents from the area.

I have also almost completed my 40 pages of Phase II paperwork.  I should be able to turn it in next week.

The adventure continues...

4th training of the month...

Last night we had training on "Moving Beyond Consequencing Your Kids". It was very informativenad left you with a lot to think about.  This weekend I have STAR training.  The adventure continues...  :)

3rd training of the month...

Tonight I have "Trauma Informed Care 101" training.  I have heard this is a very helpful and insightful training, so I am looking forward to learning all I can from it tonight. 

On a side note:  It has been raining ALL DAY here in Texas today.  Gotta love Texas.  It is January, and yesterday it was sunny and 75 degrees, and then today it is in the low 50s and raining non stop.  Ha!  No telling what tomorrow will bring.  :)

2nd training of the month...

We had "Celebrating Your Child's Culture" tonight.  Not as many people as last night's topic, but still a good turnout.  Again a very informative training session and left you with a lot to think about and consider.  I think that is it for this week's training.  Start again on Monday. :)

1st training of the month...

We had training tonight on "Child Status Reports: Not Your Average Form".  It was very informative, and there were a lot of people in attendance.  The 1 1/2 hr training was done through a teleconference (online slide show and chat, and conference call).  I was suprised at how smooth it went.  Looking forward to the next one, which is tomorrow night.

Training...

It is a very cold, but bright and sunny day here in Texas!  I am so ready for an amazing year!  The first month of the year is going to be very busy with foster/adopt training.  I have training on the 4th, 5th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, and 23rd.  Ha!  Let the adventure continue! :)

Phase 1 (cont.)...

My Phase 1 paperwork is COMPLETE! :)  It will be mailed in the morning.

Ok, on to phase 2...