Surviving and Thriving in Bethabara Farms

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Please pray for Little One's family-biological and possible adoptive. It's looking like decisions will be made soon. He so deserves a safe, loving, permanent family. He is such a wonderful, sweet little guy.

We were blessed with a snow day today so I'm sitting in front of my fireplace listening to the Little One snore. He's wrapped in several layers of fleece and looks very comfortable. He's been with me for three weeks as of yesterday and let's just say it doesn't look like his case is going to move all that quickly. He gained 6oz last week (he's now 9lbs, 6oz) and has another weight check scheduled for tomorrow. This whole process has been interesting to say the least. It's been so good for me to adjust my expectations and relinquish control of things. I tend to want to plan, know things in advance etc. That is pretty much impossible when you are doing foster care. We've got a very busy schedule this week including three visits with his mom, a pediatrician's appointment Wednesday to monitor his weight, homevisits with two different social workers (now that is just weird), a WIC appointment (also to monitor his weight) and a developmental evaluation....

Little one had another appointment with his pediatrician today and had gained 15 oz in the last week. He's finally on the growth charts! It's really amazing to see the transformation from bald headed, skin and bone, translucent skin and listless to an inch of soft strawberry blond hair, rosy cheeks, full belly and smiles in only 10 days. I really thought I'd be more exhausted but I feel great. Tired, a little scattered but peaceful and energetic. I also wondered how I'd feel about caring for a child on a daily basis without knowing what the child's future held. The truth is, I wonder but I don't dwell on it. I hope and I pray for positive decisions and wise choices but I know that I am doing what I can do. I've also been pleasantly surprised by the amount of support I've gotten. People are just jumping over each other to love on this little guy. He's been blessed with material items, snuggles and prayers from friends and family all across ...

The little one had an appointment with his pediatrician today and had gained a pound since he was weighed Monday evening! It was so sweet, 2 doctors and at least four nurses came in to see him because they'd been so worried about him. Three of the nurses burst into tears when they heard his progress. One nurse looked at him and said to him, "thank you for reminding me why I work in Pediatrics". He's already making quite the impact on this big world. I'm so thankful I get to know him for this time.

I'm taking care of a tiny, little baby boy who was born about two months ago and only gained 1 oz. since birth. He is really adorable and is eating very well (4oz every 2-3 hours). I was worried that he might have reflux or something that would make it difficult to keep his formula down but no sign of that so far. Apparently children normally grow at a rate of about 30 g (1 ounce)/day in early infancy (birth to 3 months) and this then slows to about 20 g/day from 3-6 months and to only 12-15 g/day in later infancy (6 - 12 months). Older children grow even more slowly, with toddlers (1-3 years) growing, at about 8 g/day, and preschool age children at about 6g/day. Please pray for strength for this sweet baby.

Jayden has taken it upon himself to make sure my house is safe and uncluttered...

Since being licensed to do foster care, I've been moved to pray for the children and their families. Due to my work schedule, I haven't been able to accept the situations presented to me so far but I know that prayer is the most important thing I can do anyway.... I found this list today and wanted to share it... Foster Care Prayer Requests Pray for the children entering foster care today, that they find an appropriate, kind and loving foster family to care for them until their birth families or relatives are able to do so. Pray for the sibling groups of children entering foster care today, that they will be placed together in one foster home. Pray for all the foster children in care, that their first foster home is also their last foster home, as multiple placements rob children of stability and love which is required to build the self-esteem needed to grow into responsible, caring adults. Pray that more singles, couples and families become foster parents. More experienced a...

November is National Adoption Month. Every year, our Children's Court opens on a Saturday to finalize as many adoptions as possible to bring awareness to the need for foster and adoptive parents in the United States. Right now, there are over 500,000 kids in foster care in the U.S. Some of those kids will be reunited with their biological parents but others will need adoptive families. In the United States, there are currently 129,000 children in foster care waiting for adoptive families. In New Mexico, we currently have 350ish kids waiting for forever families. Today, we finalized 5 adoptions through our agency and 42 adoptions in the county. They are all incredibly important and reason to celebrate but one was especially close to my heart. One was a preteen who I have been working with for about a year and half. In that time, she was devastated by saying goodbye to her biological mother, disappointed by a family member who turned out to be an inappropriate placement option...

I will receive my foster care license on Wednesday. I don't know how long it will take for a child to actually be placed in my home. I am relying on God's impeccable timing and trusting that He will use every minute to prepare me for my next steps in this journey. I want to purge everything that would not be "child friendly" from my life and my home because I want my home to be a sanctuary of warmth, safety and security. Since I received the copy of my homestudy last week, I've been caught in a thought process that surprised me. Of course, I'm nervous and excited but mainly I've felt moved to pray. Pray for the state of our world, pray for our NEW PRESIDENT, pray for my friends and family, Pray for myself but above all---Pray for the little boy or girl out there who is in a less than optimal situation. There are approximately 500,000 kids in foster care in any one time in this country. Estimates are that three times that number are being abused/negle...

So, last Sunday evening I spent time in my garden picking tomatoes, eggplant and onions. Everything was lush and green. This week, Albuquerque had at least two nights that hit 28 degrees. I know it is October but I still wasn't expecting it. Within a week, the morning glories have shriveled, the peach tree lost its leaves and the veggies are dead. My Dad is coming for a visit on Tuesday and I was really hoping he'd be able to see the yard before everything turned brown. For some odd reason, my family seems to only visit when it's the cold season. But oh well... I'm usually a very "glass is half full" kinda gal so I'm trying to focus on the delightful crisp temperatures, the joy of my fireplace in the evenings and the cozy down comforter covering my bed. I'm also planning some home improvements while it's too cold to garden. I hope to paint the living room, kitchen and hallway and put in new flooring throughout before my heirloom seed p...

Thank you to everyone who has been so incredibly supportive of my newest adventure-Foster Care! The piles of paperwork are done, the fingerprints are submitted, the doctor signed my clearance and my electrical outlets are covered. My home visit was today and now the worker just has to write up the report. He said that I should be licensed within the next couple weeks. Please keep praying and know that I am so incredibly thankful for your friendship and support (All 13 reference letters brought tears to my eyes!). Yesterday, I was second guessing/ overthinking /being pessimistic and out of the blue a waitress started telling me about how she had been in foster care between the ages of 2-4 and now at the age of 24, she wants to find her foster mom and thank her for the huge impact she had on her life. She didn't know me, she didn't know my thoughts...but God did. Also...strangely enough...my fortune cookie today said "Children will play an important role in your life"....

The garden is in full bloom but there are signs that Fall is here. Some of the leaves are fading, the roses are slow to flower and the tomatoes are plentiful. I love this time of year --the temperature is perfect, the holidays are just around the corner and I can just sit back and the garden is established. I tend to dread the slow approach of winter however-the thought of all my beautiful, carefully tended plants breathing their last is always difficult for me. Some just hold their breath til Spring but others are no more. For any overly involved gardener, that's a rough time. I saw this quote today though that put it all into perspective..." To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ” George Santayana ~~~ My desire for this week is to see the beauty and embrace each day. To be content and full of appreciation for this season whatever tomorrow brings.

Last spring, I was thrilled to find seeds for lime green zinnias. I bought purple, pink and the lime green ones and planted the seeds very carefully. I had a pattern of color in my head that I just knew was going to be great. Well, nothing happened. Okay, not nothing, but only the purple and pink ones. My vision was not to be. Bummer. Then, all of a sudden this summer- Waa LAA! (Is that how you spell it?) A great lime green zinnia. Okay, Lord, I get it. Wait and You'll do it in your timing. Did I mention that it came up in a completely different area than I planted it? Again, Okay, I get it. Your ways not mine. Things may look completely different than I had planned but can still be just as beautiful. Then I see this one. Soooo amazing. The picture doesn't do it justice. It is the only white morning glory with purple stripes. It completely stands out and completely fits in. The purple is the exact same color tone as the Russian Sage it is climbing. You may be asking, Megan, W...

I spent the first part of today cleaning out my closet (with Eminem lyrics in my head) and bagging up clothes for the Goodwill. While I sat on the floor and went through my drawers, I was thrilled to find a Dog Whisperer marathon on the National Geographic Channel. I totally heart the Dog Whisperer. After watching several episodes of him telling ridiculous (very much like me) dog owners to "Be the pack leader and exude calm, assertive energy", I got the perfect opportunity to try out my new skills. Tammy called and asked if we wanted to go meet them at the park and play tennis. I just knew that the 3 hours I spent absorbing Caesar's wisdom would pay off. My dogs would be miraculously transformed by my new peaceful demeanor and The psycho fencing bumping dogs down the street would be no match for my tranquil attitude. Lately I've been using a connector dealiebob to take the dogs on a walk using just one leash. I hadn't ever seen the Dog Whisperer use one and d...

Darby is 12 months old and just earned Top of the class in his obedience school. He was given two toys and a bowl of doggie ice cream. I think the real applause should go to my Mom for rangling this huge puppy through his lessons!

This one is struggling to survive after sprouting up between the flagstone in my patio Okay, I know this isn't a Morning glory but I figured I would include an update on the garbage disposal squash... I think I need to replant...

The amazing garbage disposal squash... I've got so much I want to write about but so little time at the moment....In the meantime, I'll post some pictures.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008Last updated 12:49 a.m. PT Life grows where death took root Central Area P-patch groundbreaking is Saturday near sites of 2 shootings By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL P-I REPORTER Residents in the Central Area, frustrated by recent shootings in their neighborhood, want to bring the community together around something upbeat: a new P-patch. Neighbors plan to break ground Saturday on the long-awaited Spring Street P-patch, located on a city-owned lot near the sites of two separate, fatal shootings in recent months. Though small – about 1,922 square feet – it is of huge significance, residents say. "The P-patch has been in the works for almost two years, but has become more relevant and needed in light of the tragedies," said Christina Cummings, co-project coordinator with neighbor Mel Tomlin. "The shootings have given us all the more reason to make the garden a reality." Scott MacGowan, who grew up in the Central Area and helped spearhead efforts to ...

I'm home in Snoqualmie (30 miles east of Seattle) for a few days. A special thank you to Tammy and Ro for taking care of my garden and to Erika and Steve for putting up with my puppies! I'll owe you all big if everything is alive when I get back! In the meantime, here are a few pictures from the last couple of days. My parents work so hard to tame their beautiful property...

The starts are growing very quickly and appear to be adjusting well to life outside the disposal...

Okay, I've been known to try some pretty unique ways of doing things...but this is ridiculous... As I came in from outside, I spotted the little sprout poking its little head out of the garbage disposal. My first thought was, "Oh Lord, please don't let that be a snake poking out of my sink". I crept up close to it and gave it a little tug and the whole mess came popping right out. I think it's got to be spaghetti squash inards that apparently didn't get disposalized ( I love making up new words) properly. Being the psychotic gardener I am, I promptly planted the whole mess of sprouts in the garden. I don't know how it'll work, but I've always been up for a fun experiment. I'm a little worried about Curby the Squash (yes, I'm aware I am a total dork). It's pretty hot outside but it can't be worse than the inside of a garbage disposal...

I am on a mission. A very important mission. I will rid my yard of an enemy. An enemy that is sneaky, overwhelmingly destructive and quite frankly, extremely smelly. I have sworn to rid my environment of the disgusting squash bug! I have discovered that if I give my squash plants a quick but thorough soak with the hose, wait a few seconds and they crawl up to the tops of the leaves to dry off. Then they are swiftly but gently removed from the plant and whacked or if you prefer... sent to sleep with the fishes, bought the farm, pushing up daisies or kicked the bucket. Whatever, I don't care what you call it but they are smitherines! I need to do a quick disclaimer here to reassure you that I have not completely lost my mind and become a crazy bug killer. I was actually slightly momentarily concerned about my obsession but when I did a search online I found quotes like, " Satan is that nasty squash bug. Not only does he want what he can't have and hasn't earned, he wants...