In 1997, my husband and I were married. Like most newlyweds, we thought we would be starting a family. Our first positive pregnancy test was in the first year of marriage. We would have others, but none would = a baby in our home.
When we moved to Boise, I was given a diagnosis of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) which explained more than a few things about my medical history and young adulthood. As we were preparing to try again to bring children into our family, we discovered some issues with my husband’s reproductive health. That put a hard stop on our efforts while he decided what he was willing to do and not do to address the issues.
By 2010, we had generally stopped trying to be parents. We were content to be just the two of us. And yet, the universe had other plans.
One early Spring day we were greeted by a neighbor that we knew really well. They had a favor to ask: Would we become foster parents? One of their children needed a new foster family. The child was a 15 year old with an alphabet soup of diagnoses. We took the night and then said yes.
Here we were, first-time parents to a teenager. Can I tell you something about me that you may not know? I am the one that dives into the deep end of the pool even though I don’t know how to swim. That’s what this experience felt like. But, we weren’t done. After this kiddo was able to return to his family, we were almost immediately asked to take on another teenager. That young man would become our son. (I will share that journey soon.)
In July of 2013, we gave up our foster care license. And in 202o, we were once again in the deep end of the pool… having learned how to swim and care for not only the kids in our care but ourselves and our marriage.
Since being relicensed as foster parents, we have had 3 placements and 5 children in our home. Life is busy and so good.
Indomitable Bellatrix 