Daycare Investigation....(tonight at 11:00)

Early this week, our licensing coordinator instructed me to contact The Early Learning Coalition. It's a local organization that provides the funding for foster children to attend daycare as well as providing many other services and resources for families in Pasco and Hernando County. Seeing as we should be licensed any day now, she wanted us to get the ball rolling on finding a daycare. I was beginning to lose my patience after calling for the last 3 days, leaving countless messages (one with a particularly snooty receptionist) and sent one slightly rude email expressing my frustrations on not getting a returned call. Well, my persistence did not go unnoticed, because she finally called me back yesterday afternoon. In the end I felt kind of sorry for sending a nasty gram to an actually very sweet lady. I should have given her the benefit of the doubt, because she was probably having the kind of busy week I was having. After a very  informative conversation, she sent me 68 pages of daycare facilities in my area, which came to about 31 locations. She encouraged me to do my research on each one rather than just picking the one closest and most convenient to me. Being the crazy OCD individual that I am, I spent 3 hours narrowing my results down to 8 potential daycare facilities! My game plan consisted of the following....

1. Google each facility.
2. Read reviews from at least 3 different sites. (if no reviews found...pitch pile)
3. Google Map facility. (Yes, I am that person who cares about what the appearance of the building looks like...judge away) You're not alone, my husband thinks I'm crazy too!
4. Pitch the ones with tacky names...I'm only kidding, I'm not that shallow. I Just wanted to make sure I still had a captivated audience! :-) 
5. Lastly and MOST IMPORTANT...CHECK THEIR LICENSE!!! 

I know it can be time consuming, but you will seriously not regret #5! The Department of Children and Families allows you to not only make sure the facilities are licensed, but you can read the public records of every routine and yearly renewal visits. It's important to be informed; especially when its involving your child's safety. I'm not a parent yet myself, but when I am one, I know I would want to know whether the daycare that I am entrusting with my child is background screening their employees every 5 years or using and properly storing cleaning products. Those are just a few violations I came across during my search.

Well that about does it. Enjoy your weekend! :-)

Goal (noun): the end toward which effort is directed

My Facebook news feed has been overflowing with posts about New Years resolutions and all the joyous events that 2011 brought. Being the the 6th day into the year, I would think all the excitement should have worn off by now - but, to each his own. So while reading these updates of what felt more like a "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" book, I began analyzing and racking my brain trying to come up with a clever post that summed up my year. I guess that's what I get for being part "Beaver" personality. I eventually gave up and decided to spare everyone from what would have been a very depressing status update. Lets face it, this year wasn't exactly one for the books. Because for me, 2011 wasn't filled with joyful memories, but rather memories I would prefer never to remember. That all changed after my pastor said something during Sunday's service that I will never forget...


"Rather than forgetting the past and moving on, remember all the good things God has done in your life and be reminded that If he did it once, he will do it again."


I may not have all I want, but I'm still a recipient of God's mercy! That statement holds so much weight, yet it can be easily forgotten. Did I forget the AMAZING husband that the Lord blessed me with? Or the income that allows Ben and I to enjoy that spontaneous weekend getaway? And what about the family and friends that I couldn't imagine my life without? Because the truth is, We may be infertile and not able to have children the way most couples dream of, but I could be much worse off.


I typically don't make New Years resolutions, never really have. Not because I think its lame, (although, it kind of is) but because I know deep down I would never really follow through with it. A good friend of mine, and fellow blogger said it best,"While I don’t think we should set ourselves up for failure with resolutions we aren’t motivated to accomplish, I do think there is empowerment in setting goals and defining HOW to accomplish them". This year I am not going to take things for granted. I am going to thankful for all the things that the Lord gives me; the good, the bad and the ugly! I plan on volunteering my time for an organization that I believe in,"The West Pasco Pregnancy Center". This year, I also plan on becoming a mother!


OK, now for a Foster Care update....
We had our final home visit 2 weeks ago and now we are just waiting for our Licensing Coordinator to complete her home study and send it off to licensing. Which means we should be licensed very soon! As my little sister says "We shall have a little cherub soon!"


For those of you that are interested in Foster Care or Adoption, visit "Eckerd Community Alternatives" for more information!!