csmamma and simplicity (answering your questions) and not intending to exclude anyone else who is interested
We have 3 biological children (ages 39-30) when our youngest was 15, we fostered a 5 wk old (who we were told was probably going to be an adoption) FYI they have to be guarded what they say as the goal is usually returning a child, but there are very many cases that that can’t happen. then 3 mos later we found out the baby had 2 full blooded siblings that were in foster care for 3 1/2 yrs, only 45 mins. from us. they were 8 and 12. They got freed for adoption and their foster parents were not interested in adopting. so being courts etc like to keep siblings (esp. full blooded) together, we were asked. After a few mos of mtg with them and having stay overs etc. and prayer, we did take them. (but the actual adoptiong still didn’t happen for another year :long story but birth parents kept litigating the case and this was a highly publicized case , there most difficult one) So first year I did have them attend p.s. because it was a full plate for us, and baby still had parental visits, which I had to do 2x week 45 mins away as we lived rural… Eventually their rights were also terminated for baby…and we did adopt, but she was 2 1/2 yrs old… long pregnancy eh? With the older 2 after the first year and the strain of the school officials besides case workers we said we were going to homeschool and they agreed, mostly because they had met our children. and saw that we were committed etc… but we were their first case of permission… so being the children were with us a year at that point and were placed specifically for adoption as the parental rights had been terminated at that point it seemed a moot point to them ( you will learn all this terminology as you go . )
We had a 3 placements that the children were supposed to be permanent and then a relative (and they have first priority) came forward and yes even after they had initially said no, but had a change of mind, these different 3 left us. Our hearts were broken but we knew God is a father to the fatherless, so we had to just accept it probably like someone who has a miscarriage etc… But we always knew there was 1 more out there for our home. And 7 yrs later and we were in our 50’s at that time. We got the call to go right to hospital and pick up a 2 day old. crack baby… He is now 7 , some issues, we have been challenged the most with him but when we asked God for a verse to sustain us He gave us Ps.113 vs. 9 He maketh the barren woman (that was me) a keeper at home and a joyful mother of children… Praise the Lord.. We have had to stand on that through much that space here doesn’t permit me to go into. But, here we are and just last night He asked Jesus to be His Savior… God has had a plan for him and part of that plan was for us as his parents. No we no longer are taking in children , we are both in our 60’s and our caboose has had so many challenges to overcome.
Going this route is not easy, but if God is leading, you will want to be obedient to His calling… We personally feel God has a good sense of humor and almost changed our names to Abraham and Sarah and named him Isaac… almost…
HTH
Kk