Take some fun classes and rediscover yourself and your hidden, rusty, long ago-forgotten talents and interests. Craft stores have inexpensive classes - cake decorating, flower arranging, scrapbooking, etc. Sign up at the local YMCA and take some fun exercise courses. Time to focus on your wonderful self for a while! Enjoy the time.

Big Hugs.

I went through the identity crisis when the first one left home. I decided I am going to plan beforehand when this last one leaves.

I have already become a Board member of the local theater.

Can you take the babies to one of those Mommy and Me type music classes?

I am already feeling it, and my oldest is only 14..but I know it is coming, so I am trying to get ahead of the game and address this now! I am doing a Bible study with a neighbor, am signing up for a few craft classes at a local store, and am going to volunteer in the Ronald McDonald Family Room on the pediatric floor of our local hospital.

The others have posted some great ideas-time for you to serve others or find a new hobby! I always have thought it would be fun to mentor a new homeschooling mom, also!

Thanks for all the tips. We prayed about it at our ladies Bible study yesterday. I was tlaking to our pastor about it the other night and when I said I didn't know who I was anymore he said, " You are Amy". My response was, " I don't know how to be her anymore". That is the key. I need to reacquaint myself with me. The problem will be how to do that with the babies! I may beed to find someone willing to take them a few hours a week. Amy

homekeeper said
** and am going to volunteer in the Ronald McDonald Family Room on the pediatric floor of our local hospital**

This is so wonderful!!!!! Thank you for doing that. Until Bethany got sick, I really had no idea what a blessing the Ronald McDonald stuff did at the hospital. They really do lighten the load and help so much.

While Bethany was in the hospital, they provided several meals for our whole family. They also gave blankets and hats etc.... Such a huge, huge blessing to families going through such a difficult time.

Praising Him,
Kim
www.blessed2bamommy.com

Thank you! I am excited about it! I think it will be a good way to serve the Lord and help others. I knew about the Ronald McDonald house, but didn't know until recently that they had a room in the pediatric floor for families to rest, have a cup of coffee or snack, and regroup. This room is open 365 days a year from 9 am -9pm, and is available in many hospitals around the country.

Well, that is what I get for asking for prayer!!! Ha Ha... God may have provided an answer. The case worker of our 8 mo old asked me today if we would be willing to adopt him. WOW! My initial reaction is yes!! He is absolutely adorable and I just love him! If we adopted him I could homeschool and everything. Problem is DH did not have the same reaction. His initial response is no. We had a long talk last night about where each of us are on it. He said it is not a for sure no. He is willing to think and pray about it, but he is not sure he wants to commit to 18 years of having another child in the house. DH is quiet and a homebody. He isn't crazy about the kids having friends over( He does allow them to though). I am the opposite. I'm always on the move and love having a housefull of teenagers around. He likes doing foster care because we can stop when we want. I reminded him that he has 20 years before retirement and that Kadin will be out of the house before then. Now my prayer is that one of us changes our mind. We have never disagreed on anything big in our whole marriage, We are always on the same page. Kadin's permanency hearing isn't until July, so we have some time to think and pray about it.Amy

The fact that you are being asked to adopt the baby is a wonderful sign that you are viewed as a good family to be his 'forever home'. I think that is great.

Keep praying over it. There is a BLESSING for all involved for people who specialize in fostering infants. Of course it is also a huge blessing for any baby to land in the right home forever.

Either way you go, you and your husband will be doing 'good'.
I hope whichever way it goes that you end up on the same page!

Anne