Introducing Me:

I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age two via a sweat test that came back positive, hence the term "salty foster mama." I am one of three kids in my family, two of whom have CF and one who is a carrier. I have spent lots of time in and out of hospitals and am constantly learning about new complications the disease has as I get older. Thankfully, my pulmonary function tests remain around 65% and most days I feel fairly healthy as long as I keep up with my respiratory therapy.

I started my journey with foster care a year ago. My husband and I had done several rounds of fertility treatments that weren't getting us anywhere.  We didn't have the money for a private adoption but we wanted to feel the joy of having kids in our home. I had never considered foster care up to that point but when my husband brought it up I was intrigued. I did a lot of research, prayer, and contemplation before agreeing to meet with a representative from Utah Foster Care to start the application process to become licensed foster parents. At the time we were living in a one bedroom apartment so we upgraded to a three bedroom apartment in hopes of having room for whatever kids needed to be placed with us.

We got our first placement about a month after licensing in December of 2016. The call was for a sibling group of four that needed a home within an hour, which was overwhelming to say the least. I had never been a mother before and was a little worried to take on four at once but we felt good about it after talking it over and praying about it. We called the case worker back and told her to bring them over. I rounded up adequate beds and carseats for the kids from generous friends and neighbors and my husband came home from school to help re-babyproof the house.

Being a mother to kids who have been through trauma is incredibly difficult. I went to several classes and bought lots of videos to watch about TBRI.  I started learning how to help the children feel safe while disciplining and letting them know that their actions were not acceptable but they were still loved. I am not perfect at it but I try hard on a daily basis.

It has been almost six months since we got our first placement and we are expecting to adopt all four in the near future. We were also notified that there may be a newborn in need of our help in the near future and are excited for that possibility.

I am currently sick with a virus and hoping to get feeling better without having to go into the hospital. I have luckily only had to be hospitalized once since getting the children and although it wasn't easy, with the help of loving family and friends we made it through as I am sure we will do many times yet to come.

Welcome to my blog. Thanks for sharing my journey of hope, healing, frustration, faith, and love.