tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369610282012-01-10T08:28:10.909-07:00Two days after we were licensed as a Therapeutic Foster Family, we brought "Princess Tomorrow" home from the hospital with twenty-four fractures when she was only five and a half weeks old. Her parental rights were terminated on June 11, 2009 and she was adopted on June 16, 2010. We also have two sons, "Hammy" and "Moose".Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.comBlogger1651100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-25086522943712390752011-11-02T23:27:00.001-06:002011-11-02T23:28:57.977-06:00

One of Tomorrow's older sisters, Ayanna, was featured on the Wednesday's Child segment on a local news channel.Wednesday's Child Ayanna Always Willing To Lend A Hand « CBS Denver

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-1189884476378702962011-07-27T13:31:00.003-06:002011-07-27T14:09:48.573-06:00

I just received a frantic text from Tomorrow's birth mother, L----. Her two daughters, A----- and M---- (for whom she lost custody along with Tomorrow) are now available for adoption and were highlighted today on the Wednesday's Child segment of a local news station.L---- texted me that her teenage daughter T------, who has developmental disabilities and mental illness, had "called to try and get

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-45807316474685656482011-03-27T14:25:00.005-06:002011-03-27T14:58:11.054-06:00

Wow, I never thought I would go this long without blogging here, but so much has happened and my heart and mind have been busy elsewhere.First and foremost, we've been enjoying just being a family and not fostering MJ anymore. It's indescribable the relief I feel at knowing that she will always be a part of our family, and that we will get to guide and protect her as she grows into the amazing

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-9580067605204802502010-09-07T21:15:00.004-06:002010-12-15T01:14:17.334-07:00

It sounds like crazy making, and it is! Today we did our annual update to renew our therapeutic foster family license so we are still an open home for a baby or child in foster care. And all I would have to do is call the Placement Coordinator at Ariel and tell her we want to go on the openings list if we decided we want to open our home to another baby or child in foster care. (Like say, for

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-34929826602727074072010-06-21T16:11:00.009-06:002010-09-07T21:59:38.500-06:00

Of course I meant to blog on the day we adopted our daughter. Yet somehow, after two years, eight months and five days of fighting, hoping, and praying that she would be able to officially become a part of our family, once she did it just felt like the most natural thing in the world. It was as if the last piece of a very difficult and frustrating puzzle was placed. It's always easy, effortless

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-10108784488387524522010-06-05T13:00:00.002-06:002010-06-05T13:40:40.326-06:00

Only ten days and a wake-up until Princess Tomorrow is officially our daughter! After all this time (over two and a half years), it seems so surreal but not at all anti-climactic. I feel lighter every time I don't have to reschedule a home visit with an adoption worker or case manager, and realize that after June 16 we can travel out of state without permission. I know these are little details,

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-80393369559560894512010-03-15T18:41:00.004-06:002010-03-15T19:35:59.066-06:00

I have officially begun writing the book about our journey toward adopting Tomorrow. Initially I thought I would call it Fostering Tomorrow, so that fostering would be in the title. Now, I am almost certain that the title will be Adopting Tomorrow. There can always be a subtitle to explain that it is about foster-adoption. I like the sound of Adopting Tomorrow, and the fact that it is a play on

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-40935116845878115012010-02-18T11:41:00.003-07:002010-06-22T22:30:43.016-06:00

Update: Our case is "moving right along" and "right where it should be" according to the Adoption Worker (and I know those phrases are kinda contradictory, but I just smiled).Our case is now officially in Legal Review (yet another process, bear with us): This means that a team of crack lawyers (lawyers who can't actually practice law anymore because they did too much crack in law school) are

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-38094193629216826412010-02-03T23:45:00.005-07:002010-02-19T14:51:45.675-07:00

Tomorrow went to the dentist for the first time last week. Our licensing agency had told us she did not have to go to the dentist formally until she was three, but then we got a letter from the County saying she had to have an appointment scheduled by February 20. I found out that was because her sister Monee's teeth are rotting out of her head. Several have had to be pulled.Our family dentist

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-47405382306148088232010-02-03T23:15:00.003-07:002010-02-19T14:54:14.953-07:00

So once again this year someone else claimed Tomorrow (and her other two sisters who are in foster care) as a dependent! According to her birth mom, it was her "godmother" who offered to split the money with her. But seriously, how would the godmother come up with that idea or get the social security number to do it without birth mom's involvement. I WAS NOT BORN YESTERDAY. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-54971743594901794142010-02-02T01:55:00.003-07:002010-02-19T14:54:30.139-07:00

With the book I'm writing in mind, I do want to ask you, my readers: Do you think that my blog puts foster care and/or foster-adoption in a negative light? Has our experience changed your perception of foster care or foster-adoption? And if so, how? Please be honest. This blog has been an outlet for a lot of my venting and was never intended to promote foster-adoption; but before I put out a book

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-21554671843242548822010-02-01T22:37:00.012-07:002010-02-19T14:54:51.862-07:00

Apparently I have not blogged here since DECEMBER 15. The holidays really threw me off my game, and then January just BLEW by! So I will catch this thing up a bit and go from there.After my last entry, there was the HOLIDAZE. We celebrated the Solstice again this year. That is when Santa visited our home this year since we were going to be away for Christmas. The kids were really flexible with me

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-62705791360274537982009-12-15T22:22:00.005-07:002010-02-19T14:55:24.248-07:00

1) I made the corrections to our homestudy (12 major errors, too many typos to count, two pages in all) and signed the new Certified copy last Tuesday.2) The Adoption Laison and Adoption worker came over last Thursday for the Presentation of the child (which really ought to have its own blog it was so great)3) Today, I got an email with an Adoption Application attached, and I forwarded to Mike.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-59971580523762472112009-12-02T12:05:00.005-07:002010-06-22T22:33:51.087-06:00

I don't want to get my big girl panties all in a bunch today, but I do want to blog about "where we are" (social workers love to use that phrase) in the adoption process...for my book if nothing else. I will often post in my Facebook Status Updates about the daily happenings, but I don't want to neglect to come here and flesh it out a bit before I forget all of the inane details of the

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-87865293207178960332009-11-20T17:53:00.004-07:002010-02-19T14:53:52.130-07:00

Or maybe not...I've been crying on and off since I realized it's the 20th today. I pushed hard for us to be able to adopt Princess Tomorrow today, but came up against the brick wall of bureaucracy that is Denver Human Services. We're falling through a crack here~ in between a county Case Worker who quit to move back to North Carolina and an Adoption Worker just back from "maternity leave me alone

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-30444371615760924202009-10-28T18:27:00.006-06:002010-02-19T14:55:57.798-07:00

I'm so fed up with Ariel Clinical Services~ our CPA (Child Protective Agency)~ and the Denver DHS (Department of Human Services). They are NEITHER protective nor service-oriented.The first time the Adoption Worker came over to visit, she asked me at the end of the visit, if I had any questions. I said, "Yes, just one: WHEN can we ADOPT our daughter?"Specifically, I asked if it would be possible

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-45419660981840854082009-10-26T13:46:00.005-06:002010-06-22T22:38:54.149-06:00

Got a call from the Adoption Worker (just back from maternity leave, new to her part-time job, doesn't seem to know what she is doing yet...) and there is a remote possibility that we might be able to adopt Mara in November for National Adoption Day. Don't get too excited as it would depend on one case manager completing paperwork and communicating with another, but the Adoption Worker just told

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-7409641025111929272009-10-11T11:11:00.010-06:002010-06-22T22:42:59.807-06:00

Tomorrow will be two years that Princess Tomorrow has been with us! I was going to blog about this tomorrow, but since Mike is at the movies with the boys for the Toy Story 3D Double Feature and Tomorrow and I are watching the Barbie version of the Nutcracker, I would be foolish not to take this precious time to write. It is increasingly difficult these days to find the time to write or even blog

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-42173746140001434492009-09-04T11:57:00.008-06:002010-06-22T22:44:50.973-06:00

Mara summitted Pikes Peak before she was two!At the Cliff Dwellings in Manitou SpringsSmelling a $250 flower at Seven Minute StationThe Fountain of YouthTwo days before she was two yearsIt's almost unbelievable to me that Tomorrow's babyhood has flown by, even though there were some very long days and nights over the past two years! It feels as though her babyhood was set to warp speed, and I

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-34479793926920729952009-08-19T18:30:00.011-06:002010-06-22T22:49:52.417-06:00

Princess Tomorrow in her dress from Auntie J on TPR DayOn the mini trampoline...looks like she was concentrating on being safe for her "Aunt Den"With her Case Worker from Denver Human Services on his last visitHe's leaving the department and he said he was really glad that he got to see her case mostly resolved-- and he said it's the best "success story" he's seen!It appears I've been on vacation

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-12207703938113659742009-06-22T00:02:00.008-06:002009-06-23T00:18:32.144-06:00

Princess Tomorrow's Daddy (I need to think of a good nickname for him before I make my blog public again) said today was "the best Father's Day ever". Hard to believe since I did very little to prepare for it, and in fact didn't get him a gift until last night when I put together a Snapfish Photobook with photos of him with the kids and two family photos for the front and back covers. We didn't

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-43247501678835612792009-06-18T00:48:00.008-06:002010-06-22T22:52:09.307-06:00

Tomorrow riding in a Care Bears doll stroller from her birth mom -- it is one of TWO doll strollers she has given her!Today the Case Aide who supervises the weekly visits called to tell us that birth mom's "Goodbye Visit" will be Friday at 4:45. She asked that we stay close in case it gets out of control and she has to end the visit early. That doesn't help my anxiety at all!Part of me is so sad

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-71571093286819145112009-06-12T16:35:00.006-06:002009-06-13T10:43:19.267-06:00

Yesterday the judge terminated parental rights for all three of the younger girls. He was supposed to give his ruling on the case at 3:30 but didn't start until almost 5 p.m. We sat through the reviews of a couple of other cases before ours.The judge began by saying that he had received quite a few letters pertaining to the case, mostly in support of the foster parents of Tomorrow (that's us). He

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-61944165170660774912009-06-07T23:57:00.005-06:002010-06-22T22:56:34.856-06:00

Dear F**'s, I made several copies of this (with the photo attached :-) ) and placed one in every Sunday school room at our church and at every entrance. The pastor also made an announcement during church. Several people came up to me and said their whole class prayed for Mara and will continue to do so. The Senior Saints class

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-20203839967301140312009-06-07T23:26:00.004-06:002010-06-22T22:59:51.208-06:00

Friday, June 05, 2009In regards to: Tomorrow ******The Honorable Judge WoodsDenver Juvenile Court1437 Bannock StreetRoom 157Denver, CO 80202Dear Judge Woods,I am writing this letter in regards to Tomorrow ******, who is living in the foster home of Mike and J**** F**. I am the Case Manager through the CPA and visit the home two times per month and have witnessed Tomorrow’s extraordinary growth

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-26633245976383918942009-06-03T14:25:00.004-06:002010-06-22T23:02:53.160-06:00

June 3, 2009Honorable Judge Woods:I am a pediatrician in the Foster Care Clinic at The Children’s Hospital. I am writing this letter on behalf of a very special patient of mine, Tomorrow ******.I first met Tomorrow when she was 5 months old. She had been placed in Foster Care with J****** and Michael F** at 5-1/2 weeks of age. As you know, as a very young infant Tomorrow suffered incredible

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-16851774118135533712009-06-02T17:08:00.008-06:002010-06-22T23:04:24.180-06:00

Today we had a visit from the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). She has an assistant who has been doing home visits but I imagine she is required to visit herself from time to time.She asked me the usual questions about how Tomorrow is doing and watched as I struggled to change her diaper and get her redressed and settled down for a bottle and a nap (the visit was right at nap time).Then, she basically

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-87274837162733667422009-06-01T18:17:00.006-06:002010-06-22T23:09:23.808-06:00

The Honorable Judge WoodsDenver Juvenile Court1437 Bannock StreetRoom 157Denver, CO 80202CASE #: 2007In the interest of: TOMORROW ******Honorable Judge Woods,I am writing this letter to express my sincere concern for the child named TTomorrow M***** (we call her M***) if she is to be reunified with her birth mother, Linda, and her “significant other” Stephen. I am Tomorrow’s foster Aunt, but you

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-58325976209125356562009-05-31T10:40:00.007-06:002010-06-22T23:10:56.029-06:00

After four full days of hearings, testimony is now closed on Tomorrow's case for TPR (termination of parental rights).The judge will rule on June 11 at 3:30. We expect him to *at least* TPR for Tomorrow-- he already TPR'd on the bio dad in New York-- but there are no guarantees.Meanwhile, I AM BEGGING YOU TO TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE A QUICK LETTER TO THE JUDGE ON TOMORROW'S BEHALF-- not on our

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-66928194886620216392009-05-27T23:29:00.007-06:002010-02-19T14:58:48.247-07:00

Home from the hospital!Mara did NOT like the rubber nipples from the hospital!Hammy loved bottlefeeding his new sister!Babywearing takes on a whole new meaning with "Kangaroo Care" (skin-to-skin contact with a newborn or traumatized baby inside the parent's shirt or wrap).Heart to heart, where every new Mamatoto needs to be (Mamatoto is Swahili for mother and baby, and denotes the inseparable

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-67013522595240792922009-05-25T12:47:00.004-06:002010-02-19T14:50:36.066-07:00

An old comment of mine that I just found on "Mama Is" http://www.mama-is.com/ Forgot I had commented there and was reading all the comments on "What word is this, Co-sleeping?" when I realized one of the comments was mine! Haha!JessaSeptember 19th, 2008 @ 12:06 pmAwesome thread and excellent brainstorms! I love SYNC, cuz I just love it when acronyms say something. Dreamfeeding seems to be a

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-22556068322299630042009-05-22T21:21:00.005-06:002010-02-19T14:48:07.119-07:00

A list sister of mine from ICAN recently had a close call with a son who strayed a bit too far away, just out of sight. She found her older son talking to a man who acted strange and then drove off...a very close call. Many of us supported her on her blog for 1) listening to her younger son who let her know that her older son was out of sight, and 2) empowering her sons to fight hard *and* think

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-2045019550566085792009-05-17T01:00:00.003-06:002009-05-17T01:39:49.528-06:00

Friday was another very long day in court. I wish I wasn't such an Empath, so I could just sit and listen to the people testifying about all of the child abuse and neglect that took place in Mara's birth family without feeling everything as if it happened to me personally or my child(ren). Mike says I "absorb everything like an emotional sponge", but I am really trying not to and failing

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-8314784098836756202009-05-05T21:31:00.005-06:002009-05-17T00:52:45.340-06:00

Toddlerhawk Mei Tai: $95.00 at babyhawk.com...Gogo Babyz Carseat Stroller: $39.95 at Kid To Kid resale shop... Baby B'Air Inflight Safety vest: $13.00 at same resale shop...Having my travel options with a ticketless lap monkey covered: PRICELESS!

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-33381437321763531132009-05-04T12:46:00.003-06:002009-05-04T13:35:13.836-06:00

This post will be pure venting, so if you can't deal stop reading now! LOLI don't know why I am just now getting riled up enough to write about this-- maybe because everything is coming to a head with the termination hearings resuming in less than two weeks and us waiting on an amended tax return?-- but I have actually been meaning to post about it for over a month now, if only to make other

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-21934907021355877682009-04-16T10:36:00.003-06:002009-04-16T11:03:48.104-06:00

Tomorrow was sooo sick yesterday! It was awful. She had diarrhea all day, and it was the most noxious-smelling stuff ever (Makenzie's Mommy got to hear me changing a diaper-- I would have used a gas mask if I had one!) and it is very unusual for her to have a loose stool, let alone watery. Okay, GROSS. I'm sorry. I will stop now. Someday when my kids read this blog, Tomorrow will be so mad at me.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-20618344916110815632009-04-14T02:12:00.007-06:002009-04-16T10:16:37.803-06:00

Not as catchy as Happy Birthday, but oh well...LOL...Yesterday was officially one year and a half that Princess Tomorrow has been with our family! Sure, we're disappointed that her parental rights have not yet been terminated but we're mostly just GLAD she is still with us, where we can keep her safe and watch her growing up. She has truly, deeply blessed our family and been so much fun to have

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-33127263367110791292009-04-13T00:06:00.005-06:002009-04-16T10:12:45.904-06:00

Princess Tomorrow's First Nap On Her New DaddyOkay, here goes...The biggest piece of news I have to share so far is that the judge pretty quickly terminated Princess Tomorrow's bio dads rights the first morning of the trial, because he has not answered any calls or letters from the court, even though he is alleged to have had contact with Tomorrow's bio mom by whom she has two daughters (

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-30819528958569431242009-04-08T04:34:00.005-06:002009-04-08T05:03:07.691-06:00

Starts @ 9 a.m. We don't know when it ends. With a second day scheduled for trial, if needed, on Friday.Aunt Jen and Wil spent the night last night and Jen will be watching all the boys at our home. Mara is going to stay at my friend Pam's house. She used to be a foster parent and licensed daycare provider, and has three sons and a daughter with special needs. Her boys will be in school so Mara

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-62933720498698985782009-04-02T11:38:00.011-06:002009-04-03T11:12:04.707-06:00

Mara is obsessed with our new (rescued) cat, Magpie O'Feelia Fee. I haven't blogged about Feenix being gone yet because I'm still grieving the loss and struggling with regret over relinquishing him to the Denver Dumb Friends League. In a nutshell: he was getting out of our yard several times a day, and the last time was lying in the street. We're pretty sure he had been hit by a car once before--

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-20126845131138615592009-04-02T09:45:00.007-06:002009-04-03T11:20:21.526-06:00

I imagine at least a hundred. I'll let you know!I meant to blog yesterday-- "One week until the TPR hearing"-- but I was too busy being frantic on Facebook and the phone with my sister and spouse and the Guardian ad litem's poor Legal Assistant...LOL.Luckily, I received 30 free CDs that I had coming from BMG so now I have music to rip and burn to my MP3 player while Princess Tomorrow is napping

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-7963614543709863052009-03-26T17:08:00.007-06:002009-03-26T20:44:06.774-06:00

Once again, we stayed home. Some of our New Year's traditions are drinking pink champagne and Welch's sparkling grape juice, eating shrimp and new potatoes, watching the ball drop in Times Square on TV, kissing each other (Mike has never missed a New Year's Eve kiss in ten years), and going outside and banging on pots and pans with wooden spoons to scare away the evil spirits. On New Year's Day,

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-45899075246226737682009-03-23T11:28:00.007-06:002009-03-23T13:06:34.608-06:00

and then I'll post the whole lot of 'em-- boys, Daddy-o and all-- on Snapfish. Blogger is sooo tedious for uploading more than one photo. I've been thinking of switching to Picasa for uploading masses of photos since it's Google and tied to my blog anyway. Plus, with Picasa I can always "play dumb" and say I didn't know that all the photos I had posted on my blog about Mara were being stored in

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-22890182626372577582009-03-18T20:16:00.008-06:002009-03-19T13:37:56.965-06:00

You've come a long way, baby!Today Mara had her 18 month well baby visit at Children's Hospital. We really shouldn't even call them well baby visits anymore-- Mara is 100% toddler now, there's just nothing babyish about her anymore!We were seen by her regular pediatrician again, Dr. Katherine "Kiki" Traylor. Mara said Kiki for the first time (altho' it sounded very similar to cookie) and kissed

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-62872847493575260152009-03-14T17:57:00.026-06:002009-03-19T13:15:04.549-06:00

The long-awaited, much-anticipated Christmas photo barrage begins now! I have hundreds from the holidays and have literally taken thousands already with my new camera, so here I will limit myself to pix of Mara and her gifts. Besides, I can no longer post them anywhere else due to a big to-do about the laws regarding internet confidentiality with regard to posting images of foster children

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-11534615770388286112009-03-14T16:38:00.009-06:002009-03-14T19:09:21.409-06:00

You may have received an email from my mom telling you that the TPR hearing that was supposed to be this month was moved AGAIN. Or you might have called to find out how the hearing went only to find out that it didn't happen at all. I apologize for not blogging/emailing about it but I literally didn't even process it for almost a week. Seriously, it didn't really hit me until the following

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-35011604460928859132009-02-03T09:58:00.006-07:002009-02-03T11:08:38.229-07:00

The TPR hearing is set for March 3, 4 and 6. I am beside myself to say the least. Nonetheless, I am trying very sincerely to stay positive, reading from the Bible and some of my favorite Hazelden daily meditation books each morning, and learning "to trust an unknown future to a known God". (Corrie Ten Boom)The latest buzz is that the County Case Worker told the other foster mom to start preparing

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-70928317782848268572009-01-08T00:34:00.004-07:002009-01-08T01:05:48.011-07:00

I haven't blogged here since December 9! Sorry about that. I was just busy with the holidays and have been playing with my new toy, a Sony Cybershot hybrid or "bridge" camera, since Christmas Day. We only took down our Christmas tree yesterday. This year, we celebrated "The Twelve Days of Christmas", and next year we're going to celebrate Advent which I understand is twenty-four days. I don't

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-40373577874746655592008-12-09T08:39:00.003-07:002008-12-09T09:06:33.021-07:00

Yes, I realize that sounds totally hillbilly, and I don't care, CUZ we had a great time. If you haven't been to the Bass Pro Store in Stapleton, YOU are missing out. It pales in comparison to the one in my home state of Missouri-- Springfield's store is actually the largest in the country-- but it is nonetheless quite spectacular with the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant, Fourbucks coffee,

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-58318334140027729632008-12-05T10:58:00.009-07:002008-12-09T08:39:14.702-07:00

I have to get off the laptop and start bathing all three children so we can get their photo taken with Santa at the Bass Pro Store tonight after Mara's visit...Seriously, there is an AMAZING Christmas Village at the Bass Pro in Stapleton complete with an old-fashioned electric train set, fake snow everywhere with little wooden tables for doing crafts and writing letters to Santa-- right around

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-8510070631808295642008-12-04T17:35:00.006-07:002009-03-14T20:04:04.814-06:00

Exhibit A is a Skipping Hippos Poncho which is named "Apple" (in celery green) which was purchased at 53% off by one doting foster father on babysteals.com. It has pom poms all around the edge of it and BRIC A BRAC plus a little tassel on the hood, too! The only victim was our bank account. Daddy may someday be tried by a jury of his peers and will most likely be found guilty of being wrapped

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-55533785631256366152008-12-04T13:33:00.004-07:002008-12-04T17:46:39.513-07:00

I was inspired by my friend Heather to add a music player to my blog (and she has great taste in music!). It was really easy, all I had to do was add the HTML/Java script gadget and copy the code from the play list I created at playlist.com. I now have play lists for all three of my blogs! Yes, I have three blogs...this one, a political one, and a new weight loss blog. I think if you look in my

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-11030801863243137762008-12-01T18:13:00.005-07:002008-12-01T18:32:06.831-07:00

I have strep throat. It's really, really, really, really painful and I feel generally awful but I started a "Z-pack" which is a five-day regimen of azythromycin (antibiotics) today. Antibiotics are an absolute must with strep or I would use a remedy from the book Herbal Antibiotics. I haven't had to take antibiotics since just after I had Liam-- so for almost six years. Using a Neti pot cured my

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-71282557835438163692008-11-25T08:26:00.006-07:002008-11-25T08:39:11.576-07:00

to Grandmother's house we go! The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifting snow- oh!You get the idea.We're leaving as soon as Big Daddy and Moose get back from taking Feenix to Pup Stop, and I'm so excited! I couldn't sleep last night, and had to take Melatonin at 2 a.m.Did I mention that I am supposed to be in the shower?We'll be staying in Topeka, Kansas tonight at

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-82499041163934055022008-11-20T13:53:00.003-07:002008-11-20T14:18:25.747-07:00

But who's counting?No wonder that is my favorite blanket of hers, it is the one she was wrapped in whenever I first met her. That was like unwrapping a gift from God.There was another one that was really soft fleece in pink and white gingham print with a butterfly and the words "Baby Girl" embroidered on it. We took her to a visit wrapped in it, and she came back to us in another blanket that

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-33462980122779367152008-11-20T12:57:00.005-07:002008-11-22T00:28:43.951-07:00

It isn't always hard.Baby Grrl bit Moose this morning. It wasn't the first time, and it might not be the last, but it was the first time her teeth broke the skin. I think I need to fill out an incident report (and this time check the "Injury to Other" box), but I feel like I need to sort out my feelings first. I came very close to smacking Baby Grrl on the mouth today, and realized that there is

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-68814816141805768832008-11-19T10:59:00.002-07:002008-11-19T11:02:28.214-07:00

I have to agree with YouTuber briannenana who says, "If someone is truly discouraged to bond with their child because of a commercial about back pain, this commercial is not the problem. " BUT.STILL. I hate this ad (and this new style of ad, too). But you know why they don't show any moms wearing their babies? BECAUSE THE SIGHT OF A MOTHER WEARING HER BABY IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND PRECIOUS THAT THEN

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-12853171036327441892008-11-18T15:55:00.005-07:002008-11-18T17:14:39.163-07:00

Dear Seffy-boy,Since you liked watching Liam and Seamus swinging their rocks so much, I know you will LOVE watching them play on their tower slide, LOL!! P.S. Please come over and play with us soon! We may only get one more Indian Summer!

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-30369019785073268562008-11-17T14:30:00.002-07:002008-11-17T14:51:21.657-07:00

I am keeping my son home from school today.He has fallen behind in some subjectsand they need special attention,like birdwatchingand blowing on the dust bunnies'til they scamper across the floorand deciding once and for all whether the crack on the ceiling is a sleeping dragonor a boat to sail away in.Later onwith furrowed browswe will conference over cups of hot cocoaour fingers curledaround the

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-18986640736037854482008-11-17T13:53:00.002-07:002008-11-17T14:06:22.209-07:00

The boys swinging their pet rocks and Mara blowing spit bubbles-- what more could you want in a video? Watch how she is practically hysterical for her Daddy at the end, until she comes upon her wooden horse.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-57092312023157901422008-11-15T11:03:00.005-07:002008-11-17T11:22:41.208-07:00

So last night, at the visit, I talked with Tarazina (the foster mother for Monee and Ayanna, Mara's four and seven-year-old sisters) and she said that she was asked at the Administrative Review if she thinks Monee and Ayanna should be separated if they are moved again and/or for adoption. She was also asked if she would be willing to keep them both or which one until they transition to a

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-22150748893443607022008-11-12T23:34:00.007-07:002008-11-20T13:53:00.605-07:00

There's a hearing scheduled for December 12 and it's been described as "a chance for the judge to just check in and see how everyone is doing before the case goes to the TPR hearing in March". Apparently, the case comes up for review every ninety days. I don't know why I am not used to this yet. It's a short enough period of time that it feels like nothing much has changed or developed (this time

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-42677144774049481482008-11-07T13:58:00.004-07:002008-11-07T14:10:06.126-07:00

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-10880527352204265882008-11-04T09:17:00.003-07:002008-11-04T09:52:06.124-07:00

That was the headline yesterday at Liam's school. The children voted, and it was 78 for McCain and 10 for Obama.Liam was among the ten children who voted for Obama. He has consistently said he would vote for Obama, and his reasons given have included "because he is the tallest one" and "because his name sounds cool".Keep in mind that this is the same child who told me the other day that Barack

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-37060593235592438162008-11-03T15:32:00.005-07:002008-11-03T16:24:11.538-07:00

It used to be that my theme song on Mondays was "I Don't Like Mondays" or "Manic Monday"...I used to dread Mondays, and I would start dreading Monday on Sunday...but not so much as of this week! This week my song is "Getting Better". Short story long:Since Mara came to live with us over a year ago, her weekly supervised visit with her bio family has been on Monday. A few months after Mara came

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-44878462281747744442008-11-01T11:29:00.007-06:002008-11-01T22:10:04.702-06:00

It's literally the Day of the Dead here at Casa de Fee as we partied too hearty this week! Halloween is like a high holy day in our family and we really celebrated this year!It all started a week ago today, when I took the kids to trick-or-treating at the Centennial Medical Center. I had imagined this would involved visiting a dozen or so doctor's office, under an hour. I was so wrong it wasn't

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-65110494296119421662008-10-19T19:58:00.006-06:002011-01-17T18:50:49.765-07:00

"Have J____ make three pictures in her mind, one at a time: the first of herself holding her baby girl immediately after she's adopted; the second an image of playing with her little girl at about 5 or 6 years old; and the third an image of J____ helping her grown-up daughter as she gets married.As J____ plays each picture in her mind, have her say a statement of what she wants along with each

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-57625233512053751802008-10-01T13:00:00.003-06:002008-10-02T08:30:34.996-06:00

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-15321340403581865452008-09-19T16:38:00.036-06:002008-10-08T18:07:48.351-06:00

#1. Mara's biological father showed up at court and checked in with the court Reporter, then was nowhere to be found when the proceedings began. He never returned to the hearing, and his lawyer said he was "unable to speak for him since he is not here". I am concerned that he was there to see Mara, and may have heard that I had brought her with me last time (she was still young and slept through

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-45739464764354174152008-09-19T13:54:00.011-06:002008-09-19T14:52:29.160-06:00

Mara's new word is "lookie". It's especially adorable-ish-tic since no one taught her to say lookie, which means that she cutened up the word look all by her widdle self. Not that we don't make up words, because oh boy! Do we ever.So anyway, lookie at what Nana sent Mara last week:And she included these photos, some of my favorites of Baby Mara:And a shirt that says "PEACE LOVE HORSES" which I

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-85909679619621364462008-09-19T13:54:00.003-06:002008-09-19T14:01:14.884-06:00

Let Family Watchdog keep you informed of important safety information. It's free!List of registered offenders who have moved in or out of our area:Out amaro, luis daniel Home 4810 s zeno staurora, CO 80015 0.98 In powers, richard charles jr Home 15935 e mercer ciraurora, CO 80013 1.79 Out bain, david earl Home 3744 s danube ciraurora, CO 80013 2.39 Out rush, kyle allen Home 3085 s ouray staurora

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-74958524686015779992008-09-16T16:15:00.004-06:002008-10-07T08:31:31.456-06:00

Attachment: It Takes Two, At LeastA look into the over-use of the label"Attachment Disorder"By Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ph.D.Attachment is a popular word in the world of foster care and adoption. The difficult thing is that it is being used in a pathologizing manner that is not helping kids, but rather, hurting them.Of course the children who are fostered after abuse, neglect, war, several foster

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-22898994644424748592008-09-15T21:20:00.018-06:002008-09-16T15:08:06.365-06:00

Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind:The secret art of inviting happinessThe miraculous medicine of all diseasesJust for today, do not be angryDo not worry and be filled with gratitudeDevote yourself to your work and be kind to peopleEvery morning and evening join your hands in prayer,pray these words to your heart,and chant these words with your mouth. ~Usui Mikao

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-7638342054457837992008-09-15T21:06:00.005-06:002008-09-16T15:04:43.565-06:00

It's a long story, as usual, but for now: the concurrent plan for adoption and termination of parental rights (TPR) was put into place today. The judge wants a status update in December, and set the dates for the TPR hearing for March 3, 4, and 6. He said the county can request TPR at any time. The case gets more complicated with each hearing, and we grow more frustrated that no one's been

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-56559942867368989122008-09-12T16:43:00.010-06:002008-09-15T20:42:27.676-06:00

I became Liam's Momma. I truly believe I became a mother the minute I knew I was pregnant with him, but today was the day I officially started my position FULL TIME.Liam came into this world via Cesarean surgery after a failed thirty-two hour induction at term for pre-eclampsia (and a subsequent twelve-hour labor two days later after SROM at home on September 11). He was delivered at 5:39 a.m.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-19259452617600417942008-09-05T19:23:00.007-06:002008-09-16T15:29:59.097-06:00

A few Fridays ago, we went to Cici's Pizza in Aurora for pizza night (which we usually have at home with take & bake or take-out pies). Mara was in a high chair caddy-corner from another baby girl in a high chair. It wasn't long before they were doing the twistinside their highchairs, trying to look at each other instead of eating. Then they began signing to each other using baby signs! I recall

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-23629879443454886412008-09-01T05:40:00.007-06:002008-09-11T21:43:28.615-06:00

"one small yearit's been an eternityit's taken all of me to get herethe hands of timethey pushed me down the streetthey swept me off my feet to this placeand i don't know my facenow all through the night i can pretendthe morning will make me whole againthen everyday i can beginto wait for the night againone more tunethat will never be doneit's just another one for the moonfor the days in the

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-40656108725394519712008-08-26T14:36:00.006-06:002008-08-27T14:27:11.254-06:00

Another bittersweet aspect of fostering Mara has been watching her get attached to Mike, and vice versa. She is definitely Daddy's Girl. Mike cannot walk into the room we are in when he gets home from work unless he is ready to pick her up and hold her. He has to sneak into his bathroom and unload his pockets, sort through the mail, et cetera quietly before announcing that he is home. If she

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-8399876076968607392008-08-20T10:39:00.007-06:002008-08-20T12:33:44.120-06:00

The above artwork was drawn by Liam, age 5. It is a picture of "Us picking up Mara from the hospital and taking her to our house". Our house is the ark-like structure.So the Case Aide calls us on the 7th and says, "There isn't going to be a visit on the 25th so I have to make it up by having a longer visit, or a couple of them if needed. For the first one, you can choose between the 11th and the

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-66223824558604486352008-08-20T10:05:00.006-06:002008-09-11T21:34:52.602-06:00

My first love...Daddy, then records...one year old...Daddy & Jessica 2 years oldDaddy, Jessica & Richard in California, 1975Our anniversary wasn't on August 15th this year. It was on "One month until the Permanency Planning Hearing". We had an early date, on the Monday of the week of our anniversary, because Mara had a two and a half hour visit (that could be it's own blog post-- I'll title it "

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-59252535175125226332008-08-13T11:52:00.017-06:002008-09-01T05:38:10.237-06:00

I came to one of those tiny, gigantic realizations this morning: I haven't sat in front of the PC (and the laptop is "in the shop" again) since I was sitting here when my sister called for the third? or was it fourth? time and I finally answered because I reluctantly decided to woman up and face the obvious bad news (or in my dad's words, "not really bad news, just maybe sad news"). It was

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-29452919611110627062008-07-15T08:14:00.006-06:002008-07-15T09:00:40.756-06:00

I apologize for not posting for over two weeks but you know I have at least three reasons...Liam, Seamus, and Tamara! Plus, I had a FOURTH reason for four days-- a baby who I repeatedly called "Daniel" despite the fact that was actually not his name (which is why I'm even using it here!)We provided emergency respite for a three-month-old baby boy over the fourth of July weekend. He was born

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-12918715612501023552008-06-28T10:51:00.006-06:002008-08-20T10:55:52.562-06:00

A voice cannot carry the tongue and lips that gave it wings. Alone it must seek the ether. ~ Kahlil GibranLately, I have been reading The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran over and over again. Mine is a small copy, small enough to fit in my pocket, and I find myself wanting to take it with me wherever I go. I am sure some of you have felt this way about your bibles."Of all the books of this author, The

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-75062238568589222922008-06-27T17:26:00.006-06:002008-06-28T10:51:48.283-06:00

First of all, we got a call from Mara's Guardian Ad Litem yesterday evening and her perspective is that this case is definitely moving towards termination and adoption! The concurrent plans for adoption were not put into place yesterday but will be at the next permanency planning hearing in 90 days. Yes, again we wait. But, we are getting used to it. I heard Mike Myers say, on The View today,

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-22844585220123233142008-06-12T14:04:00.011-06:002008-06-28T12:15:50.801-06:00

We had a visit from our Case Manager with Ariel Clinical Services today. Her name is Jodi by the way, and we have a great rapport with her. She's funny, young, and gorgeous and Liam has his first crush on her! The boys both work extra hard on elaborate coloring book pages for her when they know she is coming over. Even the dog goes nutso when he sees her. Our visits are more like play dates or

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-42078469916904562752008-06-10T14:28:00.007-06:002008-06-11T15:12:53.927-06:00

The night before last I was the victim of yet another emotional trainwreck. After putting Mara to sleep for the third time, I was struck with uncontrollable crying. This time, I even went so far as to wake Mike up at 2 a.m. to tell him that I do not want to adopt Mara and that I want to give Ariel Clinical Services my thirty days notice (to move Mara to another home) by September. I had a good

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-15024844077378969972008-05-29T22:14:00.010-06:002008-06-10T14:28:08.627-06:00

Now that this blog is private, I thought I'd share some classic snapshots of Mara in the kitchen sink! She grew out of her infant bath thingy and isn't quite ready for bathing in the new bigger, deeper tub without some sort of plastic apparatus, so it was back to the kitchen sink. She expressed her obvious joy to be back in the sink again with much splashing and squealing and by grabbing

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-62939257300625463042008-05-28T22:14:00.002-06:002008-05-28T22:22:01.746-06:00

Baby Grrl spends every waking moment challenging herself physically-- she pushes and pulls anything that isn't bolted down and picks up things that are heavier than her (which is almost everything). After one of her marathon explorations, she crawls to me as quickly as she can, babbling "mamamamamama", frantically signs for a bottle, then sucks down six ounces in about three minutes and passes

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-29437085793602313732008-05-28T21:57:00.003-06:002008-05-28T22:13:51.307-06:00

Baby Grrl has been cruising for about a month, and loves pushing her music table around the family room. She just now took at least a dozen steps in a row, chasing Daddy, and then fell and bonked her head. So if I don't blog for a while, that is why! She isn't even nine months old yet! She will be on the 30th.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-19633568284779484752008-05-22T18:23:00.005-06:002008-05-22T19:05:45.776-06:00

I just learned that in Tennessee it is illegal to post pictures of foster children online. I cannot seem to find out if there is a similar law in Colorado. HELP!In an effort to calm thyself down, I accept this meme from a friendly blogger.1)What were you doing five years ago? Taking care of an eight month old (hey, that's exactly what I'm doing now, too, what a long strange trip it's been!) I was

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-8603658394483600042008-05-09T21:51:00.008-06:002008-05-09T23:19:43.124-06:00

"A cake for my new mommy"We had a seven year girl staying with us from Sunday to Wednesday, while she was in between foster homes. I won't go into her very sad story except to say that we were warned that she would display a lot of inappropriate behaviors and she did not exhibit any of them while she was here. She was fun to have around, got along great with our kids and doted on Baby Grrl.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-39538884735624939252008-05-09T21:45:00.002-06:002008-05-09T21:50:52.060-06:00

I changed my settings so that anyone can post comments on my blog now. Originally, only those with Google accounts could do so. We'll see if this turns it into a free-for-all. One negative comment and I will put this blog right back where it was behind the plexiglass! hehehe...Now, if I can just get Baby Grrl to do some housekeeping so I can blog more often.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-19559086953205017752008-04-29T19:15:00.016-06:002008-05-09T21:38:26.564-06:00

Haha! Not what you were thinking! MAMS are the bottles we've been using for a couple of months now, ever since I read an article in Mothering magazine about a toxic chemical called Bisphenol A.Bisphenol A is a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen which has been shown to be able to interfere with babies healthy growth and development.A recent report, “Baby’s Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-61902862631182894042008-04-26T11:11:00.006-06:002008-05-09T20:54:02.293-06:00

I apologize for not blogging more often. I have needed to turn within since the Permanency Planning hearing, and have been doing some deep soul work. I've also been busy with Baby Grrl climbing stairs, getting into everything and outgrowing her clothes!Plus, we provided respite for another foster family who had to go to a funeral out of state, and we had two more girls staying with us for four

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-53755132745697691002008-04-10T00:03:00.007-06:002008-04-10T00:33:34.949-06:00

Which are most of the days. I just come here to vent. It is purely cathartic for me. And I have to get it all out because I know all too well that depression = anger turned inward.This is daily...Smooshie took this one.She is sucking on my chin!Falling asleep on the nipple. They all do it.Smiling in her sleep. It's hard to put that cuteness in the crib!Asleep on Mount Momma.

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-60761999903380717312008-04-03T16:01:00.003-06:002008-04-03T17:17:19.678-06:00

The first hearing was today, and the judge ruled that the plan at this time is for all of the children to be returned to their mother, and no one objected including me. The father's visits were suspended due to allegations of sexual abuse from the four and seven year olds who are now in therapy, and it was ordered that therapeutic visits could take place at the discretion of the therapist,

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-35686939165863112872008-03-27T13:08:00.003-06:002008-05-09T21:42:08.051-06:00

perspectivePutting our kids firstState must bolster child servicesBy Becky Miller Updike and Bob CooperArticle Last Updated: 03/22/2008 04:37:29 PM MDTTennyson Center teacher Kat Kimling guides a student through the halls of the school last week. (Tim Reese, Sundance Photography)"The city of Denver recently announced it was going to tap into emergency reserves to hire 40 additional child welfare

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-43026464421716681082008-03-17T13:08:00.004-06:002008-05-09T21:02:28.561-06:00

So much to blog about, so little time...Baby Grrl's biggest (foster) brother and the apple of my eye, whom I will call Le Yum this day, started a new (one day per week for homeschoolers) kindergarten today. He was excited until yesterday, when he told me he didn't want to go because he has already been to kindergarten and he knew everything already. So we talked about how he has to show that he

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-9679758234051676062008-03-15T13:08:00.007-06:002008-05-09T21:04:27.003-06:00

We just found out some very disturbing and exciting news from another foster parent. The county case worker should have been telling us all along when the court hearings are so we can be there. Also, after NINETY days of having Baby Grrl in our custody {we have had her with us for FIVE MONTHS}, we have a right to "intervene" and make ourselves a "party" to the case. Plus, we may not even have to

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961028.post-38832574802429631602008-03-14T16:00:00.007-06:002008-05-09T21:05:03.420-06:00

{Title inspired by What a Difference a Day Makes by Etta Fitzgerald: "Twenty four little hours...brought the sun and the flowers...where there used to be rain..."}So, Mr. Superhunk {what I'm calling DH today} called this morning with some more, reassuring information on Permanency Planning, because as per usual he operates on Logic. It turns out that:A) It is required by law after a child under

Jessa Feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525506759433885956noreply@blogger.com1