Training and Other Stuff :)

Its been so nice having some time off to just relax and put my feet up. Im telling myself to enjoy my freedom and peace now because in a short time that will be all taken away and ALL of my energy will be put into taking care of these kids.

For the past two weeks Isaac and I have drove head first into the 30 hour Training class. Its been three nights a week at four hours a session. We have TWO more left and then we can do our home inspection and then if we pass that then we get licensed! Yipee!!

The information we are learning is so valuable! The learning sessions have included topics such as Grief & Loss, Teamwork, Discipline and much more. I would say that this short time is just skimming the surface of "what to expect" and tips and there is no way we can learn to parent in 30 hours! They gave us a 500+ page handbook so tons of continuing education and book reading to come. Its very interesting material and insight to how foster kids minds work, how to build trusting relationships with them, and to reunite them back with their bio family.

The most interesting session we have had thus far is on development. Right now about 90% of the kids coming into foster care have parents who are alcoholics or drug addicts. And unfortunately these kids are products of that behavior and end up with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and alike syndromes. Therefore what happens is that these kids end up with emotional, social, developmental, and behavioral problems. This requires tons of patience, lots of love, forgiveness, and support! What an exciting adventure we are about to embark on.

Thats it for now!




To help the Bell family with their foster care needs and wish list click the link below:

https://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_load_edit.do?registryId=86171273047

Overwhelmed with Joy

Plant seeds. You reap what you sow.

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:24-25

Some days are so filled with joy and happiness I have to pinch myself to make sure im still in my own flesh. Life as I have experienced it... has had many ups and downs, mostly up's :) its small hills and huge mountains and as humans its easy to get carried away making "plans" for our life. But what I have realized is that no matter how many things I plan out, that God has THE master plan for my life. I've tried and failed, wanting things to happen at a certain time and in a certain way and when they didnt it was discouraging. After all my years of wisdom now, haha, I know that as long as i'm doing good, setting goals, and seeking out what He has planed for me then its less discouraging and more encouraging as things happen in the perfect timing. This week I saw his plans in action. Its been really hard gathering all the things we need for foster care since we have not been parents yet, but this week that all changed. We were SHOWERED with gifts and the love, kindness, and generosity we were shown has OVERWHELMED US with JOY. 

Here is an update on the foster room so far. It looks a little bare but its coming along quite nicely I think :) The first person to fill it was a close friend Kelsey. Her and her children gathered all these awesome toys and books and blankets! Her daughter Natalie was so excited to be helping other kids, a disciple in the works leading a strong faith already at such a young age. Isaac and I are so happy this family is a part of ours too :) My good friend and past coworker Katrina has also been so generous in her giving, tons of toys, clothes, baby gates. She is an inspiration in herself and a true role model to me as a mother! Thanks to both of you for showing me how great and rewarding motherhood is. 

 I was working out of town this week and I came home to a package on the doorstep. Im thinking in my head I never ordered anything. As I open the package I realize its the fire extinguisher from our wish list. I was ecstatic! I called my mom immediately and she had told me our dear friend Brenda had purchased this from our wish list. But as kind and giving as Brenda is she did not stop there, she got us ALL of our safety equipment that we need and even some things for the kids room too! I have known Brenda almost all of my life and I am so glad that she was able to be a part of my wedding and now our foster family as well. We LOVE you Brenda and THANK YOU so much!

We recently attended a new church and have been blessed by them already in such a short time. We received a letter in the mail with a more than generous gift to help us with out foster care mission. I was blow away, surprised, so happy and have such a heart filled with joy. I did not know so much kindness was possible. The Lord has done great things for us and we plan to keep living our lives for him. We just like the church want to grow, love, and serve.  (Not sure if its ok to mention name, will check and let you know next time) 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

What I know is that unconditional love is possible, Isaac and I have felt it this week and we are going to pass that on to our foster kids. I want every child to know that not only will we love thembut God will always love them unconditionally no matter where they are. 

P.S. Today is... Husband appreciation day. In honor of the men in our lives let's put away our "honey do" list today and just say "thanks for being a wonderful hubby"  

         So glad that you are my husband Isaac I dont know what I would do without you. I LOVE you. 

          FOREVER & ALWAYS

Disclaimer: Im not exactly a "writer" so hang in there with me on grammatics and error ;) 

Wish List

Last week was very nice, the plus of working during the school year is getting all the breaks the kids do. Kinda like being a kid again or back in college. A week off for Spring break was just what I needed to catch up on life! I had the chance to focus on getting a bunch of paperwork in and get the foster care process moving alone more quickly.

I went to my first foster care support group meeting last week as well. Its a big group of local foster parents that get together and talk about challenges, a place where you can ask experts questions, and also get continuing education. It was very informational but I did hear some really crazy stories! It reinforced that its not an easy road but its very rewarding.

We will be completing our "home study" in the next month or so and we need a few things in order to pass. Foster care is different in some ways in that they are very strict on what needs to be in the home. I have included a link for our Amazon "wish list" and would love it if you could check it out and help us out in way you can to get our house ready for these kids in need. Anything little or big can help in a big way, so pay it forward :)

What I am excited for this summer is yard sales! I know I will be able to find a ton of kiddo stuff and it will be inexpensive enough that if needed I can send the children home with things they dont have once they are reunited with their bio parents.

Our dream is trucking right along, its exciting but also nerve racking at the same time. Its a big step but there is nothing more Ive ever wanted than to be a parent and a mom. This has been such a great adventure so far and I feel so blessed to have family and friends that have encouraged me along the way.

More Bell Family Updates....

Even more exciting news is that Isaac got a new job! He will be a medical scribe for the Emergency Department at Kadlec. Basically its like a paid internship for Nursing and will allow him to learn a ton before he enters the RN program next fall. He finished his last day at Pacific Steel on Friday and gets the next few days off before he starts training. Its going to be a very positive change and will allow Isaac to have a more flexible schedule for school.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Foster Care Link:

 http://amzn.com/w/QYAEQ6T2VYGA


Thanks again for helping us out!

A New Chapter

Isaac and I, as some of you already know have decided to begin the journey of becoming foster parents. We have pondered and prayed about this for some time and realized that this is exactly what we want to do. We are VERY excited and learning a lot about what it takes to become licensed and how much we can impact the lives of children in need and most importantly keep them safe.

So you ask... What is Foster Care?

Foster care is temporary out-of-home care for children, who have been removed from their homes by County Social Services or CPS due to physical and emotional safety concerns. The goal of foster care is to reunite a child with his or her birth parents/family whenever possible. The court decides when or if a child is safe to return to his birth family. When a foster child is not reunified with his birth family, then the child/foster home can start the adoption process.The process of becoming a foster parent takes approximately 4-6 months, involving everything from being fingerprinted, filling out a ton of paperwork, and attending a 30 hour certification training. Because I work with a lot of children with state needs, I know how desperate this kids are for normalcy, safety, and parents that care about them. We are excited to help our community and help these kids in such dire need and hoping to change their lives in any way we can. 

To learn more visit

www.olivecrest.org or http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents


Where are we at now with the licensing process?

We have attended a two hour orientation, have submitted partial paper work, been fingerprinted, done our background checks, and have our 30 hour training scheduled for May.

In the meantime.....

We have started to collect items for our future foster kids. Since we have our house now that has MORE then enough room we have dedicated a room to the foster children. Since we dont have any children of our own we are starting from the basis.

So what can you do to help?

Not everyone can be a foster parent but there are MANY ways you can help. What we are graciously asking of friends and family, or anyone who can help us is to donate any clothes, toys, etc that you have that your children don't use or have grown out of. These kids will come into foster care sometimes with just the clothes on their back. If they have things with them they usually dont fit, have holes in them, and have never really had toys that are age appropriate. These children have been in homes where things like clean clothes and toys are not a priority. What we want for our foster kids is to have clean clothes, toys to place with, and a safe home to play in. So please contact Isaac or I if you would like to donate anything to our growing family, we appreciate it in advance! We need items from 0-12 boy or girl. Thanks so much to everyone who has already donated as well! We feel very blessed to have this

I will keep everyone update through this blog as much as possible.

Have a great week!

Many blessings,

The Bells

Our new home

We moved into our new home last weekend!

We had lots of help from family and friends and were all unpacked by Sunday afternoon. A lot of work but totally worth it to finally be able to call a house our OWN. Many thanks to all that helped us!

This week we have been settling in getting used to new routes to work, trying to find where we put everything, and just enjoying how great it is to have more space!

Next week we are going to tackle a plan for building a fence in the backyard, hopefully we can get that done by the end of summer. There are going to be lots of BBQ's and entertaining here this year!

Isaac is off playing Army this weekend so I got stuck at home with laundry, cleaning, and shopping. I cant wait for him to get home, I really miss him on the weekends he is gone.

Ella and I discovered a hiking trail this morning, she loved it. Now she is trying to recover...

Yesterday I signed up for Bloomsday, training starts tomorrow! Isaac and I are doing it together and should be alot of fun! Come join us!

What have we been up to since our Wedding?

Since our wedding in the Bahamas on July 25, 2012 we have been busy enjoying the pleasures of newly married life. We couldn't have asked for a more amazing wedding and reception and felt so blessed to be surrounded by all of our closest family and friends.

As for an update on Isaac, he is attending Columbia Basin College studying to become a Registered Nurse. Not only is he going to school full time but is also working full time too! When he is not working or studying he is off to play Army for the National Guard. Im still not sure how he does it all, and without any complaints either. I dont know how I got so lucky to have such a strong and amazing husband!

As for me, I'm loving my new job as Clinic Manager for Grinovations Oral Health and Preventative Services. If you dont know what that is, it is a school based program for preventative services for Elementary and Middle school children. I travel all around the state to provide services to these kids, its very rewarding to know I am making a difference in many lives.

Our furry baby, Ella, keeps us busy too!

Now that Christmas has passed we are diving into the new year with the purchase of our first home.We are more than excited. We searched for a long time and finally found the perfect place to settle into. Lots of packing to do, and doing some spring cleaning a little early this year. Our plan is to be in our new house the end of next month. We are hoping to grow into this house and fill it with love and hopefully children soon!

Join us along the way and follow our blog for family updates!

Love and many blessings,

The Bell's