Respite

G and I have had a few opportunities the past few months to take short trips without the kids and let me tell you, it's been a lifesaver.

Respite is an official break from caregiving and we are fortunate enough to have several options when it comes to people we can leave the kids with; in addition, foster families have access to paid
'respite care' that DHS pays for-- basically other foster families or DHS approved folks who take the kids for a certain amount time.

We were actually a weekend respite placement for Miss M and Baby A, when their former foster parents had health issues. Those health issues eventually forced them to give them up and since we'd bonded with the kids, we were able to become their official foster parents. And that weekend placement will be a year, in a little under 2 weeks!

Those same foster parents are still in our lives; we call them the 'foster grandparents'. And they were gracious to keep them last weekend when G and I went to my sister's wedding in Springfield/Branson, MO last weekend. They had a full house-- their adopted kiddo, 5, Miss M (also 5), Baby A (2), and 2 foster babies (12 months and 6 weeks). That's 5 under 6. Woo! Glad it wasn't me.

Contemplating the view at Black Mesa State Park; .can't you just feel the serenity?!

We've also had G's parents watch the kids for the weekend, most recently for Memorial Day weekend when G & I took a road trip to Black Mesa in the Panhandle, which has been great for everyone. They love spoiling the kids, the kids love them and we feel safe (and a little guilty) about leaving them with Nana and Pop Pop. They've been so generous over the years, and have not failed to wholeheartedly embrace our foster kids as their own.

So grateful for the love that surrounds us and the kiddos.