Teenage Affection

On Saturday last, my 16 yr old, for the first time in almost six months of living with me, scrunched down under my arm as we sat on the couch visiting with my parents. I could hardly believe she was allowing me to show affection to her in this way! The next day she did the same thing at church!

This young lady was the mom in her family for a number of years. She hardly ever allows herself to be a kid...and it was the first time she actually let me be a nurturing adult to her. It felt good for me, too! I thought it took a lot of courage for her to show me she was willing to sit close to me. To me she was saying: I trust you, I like you, I feel safe with you (maybe I'm reading more into it than was meant, but that's what I heard during these non-verbal conversations). What a brave survivor I have living in my home.

I learn so much from these kids....

Sharing Expertise in Nancy's Pre Service Trainings

I am very grateful to the DCFS staff, the Office of Licensing staff, birth parents, adopted children and the licensed foster families who attend my classes to share their life experiences (and expertise) to our families in training. I have folks come to at least 4 classes a month to share in first person terms, what I can not. They bring depth, humor and pertinent information to all who hear their messages. Their willingness to share sometimes painful memories shows their strength of character and hopefulness of soul. Many of the staff have to flex their time to work during an evening, to come to my class, when they could be home with their families doing laundry or vegetating in front of American Idol... :)

I don't think it would offend anyone if I told you who I am specifically referring to: So, in alphabetical order, I want to publicly thank:

Rebecca, DA and Anja Anderson, foster/adoptive family
Brandy Anderson, birth parent
Kari Broderick, foster/adoptive family
Joy & Robert Brough, and their children, adoptive family
Aymee Condie, DCFS Caseworker, foster/adoptive/kinship family
Jeanne Finefeuiaki, Office of Licensing
Jessica Hannemann, UFCF Retention Specialist
Trish Jensen, RFC Supervisor at DCFS, adopted
Ami Monsen, foster/adoptive family
Jenn Quigley, Office of Licensing
Shawn & Portia Rapier, adoptive dad
John and Caycee Thill, UFCF, foster/adoptive family
Stevoni Wells-Doyle, birth parent
Christy Tucket,birth parent

It is very rewarding to work with such generous people. I know that not all areas of Utah have the unique working relationships we do in the Western Region of the state and because I'm thinking about these people today, I wanted you to know it, too.

Utah Foster Care Foundation

Utah Foster Care Foundation