Baby Clothes on the Cheap

We are leaning toward short term emergency care for infants.  We're researching cribs this weekend, and, doing the same thing we were doing when we were expecting our daughter...hitting the thrift stores.

Yesterday, we picked up a number of baby clothing items, and wash cloths, for a grand total of $6.15.  A day soaking in a drop or two of detergent and color-safe bleach, and they're good as new.  A weekly visit to the thrift shop should do the trick.

Getting Started in Foster Parenting

By Nevit Dilmen (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0
 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

After years of considering it, we are finally taking the plunge.  We are going to apply to be foster parents. We have attended the initial orientation (again) and have almost finished filling out all of the initial paperwork.  Here are a few of our scattered reflections and reactions thus far:


For all the effort to emphasize that being a Foster Resource Family is not a job, they sure make the application process feel like applying for one.

As a conservative family who feels that government should stay in its limited place, the process does feel a little invasive, but then, we understand that the state has responsibility for the protection of these children.

We are not looking forward to relocating or "locking up" our kitchen knives.  We like our knife block just where it is!


Having someone come to "inspect" your home is a little nerve racking.  This will push us to do a "down deep" Spring housecleaning and finally fix the hole in the carpet that the puppy made when we accidentally closed her up in the bedroom for the day.

We are excited.  We have been continually haunted by the desire to do this, and are glad to be finally embarking on the journey.  I will be sharing the ups, downs, and realities of the process here, if you wish to come along for the ride.

Blessings!
~Michelle

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