The Start of Something Special

I’ve been wanting to start writing for quite some time but have been a little intimidated to do it in such an open way,

so I kept putting it off. Now that we are growing our family, with two small children, I’m finding it more and more important. I want something to be able to come back to. To read where we were, and to see how far we’ve come. These moments are fleeting, and I want to remember as much as possible.

Being a mom who adopted from foster care, I don’t have a baby book, to look back at the memories of when my kids were newborns, or even when they first arrived to my home. I do have photos, and notes in my phone, and it feels like to right time to put it all down somewhere I can come back to.

Sharing it publicly, while a little intimidating, also brings awareness. And with awareness, comes knowledge. There are many misconceptions about foster care, and while there are some very unfortunate situations, there is also so much good, and I hope to shed some light on those moments. Moments where people are helping others succeed. Helping them become the best version of themselves. And sometimes helping children navigate their new life, with a new family. Fostering is not always taking children into your home. There are so many other ways to help children in foster care, and I cannot wait to share them with you.

My hope is that someday, my kids will be able to come back and see that their mom created something that helped others. I want them to grow and learn that everyone can make an impact on someone. You never know who is listening, watching, and waiting for you to help them along the way. I want them to know that while we may not have the same blood in our veins, they are the most important beings in my life. They may be the ones growing and learning, but I am also growing and learning alongside them every single day.

So, with that said, I’ll be sharing everything from motherhood, to foster care, to whatever delicious recipes we’re making, and sprinkling in a little bit of everyday life. This is a safe space to ask questions, learn from one another, and most importantly, support each other. Because let's be real, motherhood is freakin hard.

Whether you gave birth to your children, are navigating them through foster care, adopted the most precious angles or maybe you are in a season of wanting to become a parent. Everyone is welcome here.

We need to LIFT each other. Not tear each other down.

xo,

-Mandi