FIRST TWO WEEKS OF FOSTER CARE (we all got COVID! 😱)

Are you curious about what it's like to be a foster parent? This is our first placement and it's a sibling group of 3 kids ages 7.5, 2.5 and 5 months old.
I recount day by day of days 3-14 in this video. Watch day 1 and 2 here: • FIRST TWO DAYS OF FOST...
There is definitely a NEED in every state for foster parents. I hope this encourages you to take the first step to get licensed yourself or help a foster parent local to you :)
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#fostercare #firstplacement #covidexperience

[@silviaandrea1535]

You are doing great, parenting for the first time + covid... 😳 the fact that you still smiling is amazing...

[@chrissys8474]

You`re doing an amazing job.. from one foster parent to another :)

[@HappyHoppe]

Aww 🥰 thanks Chrissy!

[@afpwebworks]

Lisa you and Peter are amazing. Most parents of a seven year old have had seven years to learn what works and what doesn’t You’ve had to learn it all almost instantly. I am MOST impressed with how you’re coping And taking the challenges head on, smiling all the way. I think you’re right. I think you were born for this. .

[@HappyHoppe]

😭🥰😍 yes God has definitely prepared both of us for this and we are just so thankful 😌

[@chasingrainbowschannel]

Love, love love these updates and we can't wait for the next (my husband and I have both been sucked in)! We will be praying for you all...you are handling everything thrown at you with such grace and joy, and its beautiful to see. So happy for you both!😊💜🙏

[@HappyHoppe]

Thank you for your prayers 🙏

[@RelatableMotherhood]

You are adorable! If that was you losing your patience, you're gonna be okay ❤ You're filling the mom role right now and it's totally okay to have a firm voice and put down boundaries 😊 I am so sorry you all got covid! Whew! What a way to start this journey. We are following along with you and praying for all involved ❤

[@HappyHoppe]

Yeah, setting a schedule and clear expectations has helped so much! They are such a joy to take care of 💗💗💙

[@zoecrowhurst9177]

Sounds just like having kids! It’s funny to hear it described from someone who hits the ground running.

[@elizabethlarose3632]

This is baptism by fire....3 kids, a baby, covid....oh did I say Covid too.....you are both handling this so amazingly. Thanks for the updates. 🙏 for all.

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks for your prayers 🙏

[@OurFamilyVine]

Wow so much happened in your first two weeks! You guys are doing a great job! Love your honesty!

[@HappyHoppe]

😂 yeah it was a bit nuts, but now that we’ve had Covid, we shouldn’t get it again for at least 3 months, so that’s good to know 😊

[@samanthadavis5139]

You and Peter are great and I know y'all will help the kids and their families so much. I love how you took the time to get to know the kids and then introduce the rules and everything. I feel like y'all are going at a good pace with everything. From what you've said about the kids they seem pretty amazing.

[@HappyHoppe]

They are amazing 🤩 we love them so much and so happy they could stay together while in foster care :)

[@eliasporter39]

What will you do if a future placement doesn’t have the same religious beliefs as you do?

[@Zero2FiveFamily]

You guys are rocking it!🙌 I love how you are showing those kids and their parents God’s love. This is so helpful for those beginning fostering. Love you guys!👍❤️

[@HappyHoppe]

Love you guys too!! Were you guys exhausted going from zero to five the first week or so?

[@jessicacarnahan1096]

What an amazing journey y’all are on! I love how you are not just a foster family- you are so fostering the relationship between the kiddos and their parents! Wonderful! More foster parents should take this approach- these babies - they are our future - let’s bring them up with as much love and compassion and grace as possible. I have one Angel in Heaven and four kids here in earth- we have never been a part of the foster system, however I can tell you IT TAKES A VILLAGE! Sometimes we all need a little help and guidance back to the right path. Bless you two for opening not just your home but your hearts to these precious gifts!!

[@Melh21]

You guys are amazing. Settling in so wonderfully ….. 3 kids and covid in 2 weeks. Wow …. That’s huge! Can’t wait to watch your videos. So inspiring.

[@shandonwade5201]

You are doing a fantastic job. I was so glad to see your update. All of you have been in my prayers. The kids, the 2 of you and their parents. I I'll keep all of you in my prayers. For someone I've never met in person my heart fills with Love for you and your journey. There are going to be up, up days and down, down days. Those come with any parent, but I feel you are handling it fantastic. Yes I still see the smile in your eyes.

[@HappyHoppe]

Aww 🥰 thank you for your encouraging comment!!

[@shannonbray7880]

You are both doing amazing. I'll be praying for all of you. It really is fantastic you were able to give an update and I thank you for it as you have both been on my heart lately.

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks for your prayers

[@cath8113]

You guys are doing so well. Fostering is a hard job and helping A cope is hard. Counseling is going to be so helpful.

[@jacksayers..1153]

Just amazing how well you both have done. I hope and pray for you and the kids. Thanks for sharing

[@HappyHoppe]

We’ve been preparing for this since 2016, so we’ve been learning since then through other foster parents, books, conferences, etc and also praying and finally the time was right after buying our first home 🏡 ❤️ I was ready to jump in 2016 to foster, but God knew where we needed to be and I’m thankful 😄

[@007linkstar]

I once read that sometimes kids get extra sugar during visits and that make the "after" worse. Search about it, but I think it's best to keep sugar low before the visit and give them milk after to calm them down.

[@HappyHoppe]

Good tip about milk! yeah, we only do fruit as sugar on visit days! The first 3 weeks of visits were virtual because of covid

[@nancybrown2289]

Y'all are so blessed. Happy Sunday ❤

[@robertlamborn7518]

I have been thinking about you and how things are going so thank you for the update. Praise to you both and the children, I am glad its going well. Its unfortunate that you all got COVID but I hope that it did not affect all of you badly and you all get better. CheersAndHappiness

[@HappyHoppe]

We’re all feeling back to our normal selves now as I filmed this last week 😊

[@chordsofgratitude2073]

So glad my recommendation was something you used 🤗🤗🤗 I wish we had been told about Love and Logic parenting when our children were younger, but at least we found out about it when they were tweens!

[@HappyHoppe]

Yeah, it was our friends over on Zero2Five Family channel that had let us know about Love and Logic first back in August - such a great resource 😊

[@angelgirl2001]

Thank you for sharing this it’s been a pleasure following along on this journey with you guys and I’m glad to hear the update and what’s been going on although it’s been overwhelming but it’s been a lot of joy I hear and love and all that goodness. I am going to continue to listen to your story I’m right at the part where are you are trying on your new glasses and good luck and here’s to more fun and enjoy.

[@ericaaubie860]

Like your glasses you look like a teacher.

[@marianatredway7211]

They are so lucky to have you. My husband and I are also struggling to have kids because I have Premature Ovarian Failure, I wish we could foster but we are South Africans living in China so it's a bit difficult. Good luck to you guys, and my God be with you every step of the way.

[@HappyHoppe]

Aww, I’m so sorry for your infertility struggles, it’s so hard :/ we are so thankful for this opportunity to foster and have kids in our home for now 💗💗💙

[@chordsofgratitude2073]

www.acuandherbs.com/blog/acupuncture-and-herbs-for-premature-ovarian-failure.html Acupuncture And Herbs For Premature Ovarian Failure ... www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382014000092 Original article Chinese Herbal Medicine for premature ovarian ... www.whitelotusclinic.ca/early-menopause-pof/ Early Menopause |Premature Ovarian Failure | Naturopathic ... naturalwomanhood.org/how-fertility-awareness-methods-may-help-with-premature-ovarian-insufficiency-1-2019/ The Truth Concerning Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (And ...

[@marianatredway7211]

@@HappyHoppe thanks a lot for replying to my comment. We put our trust in God and know that if He wants to bless us with kids it would be amazing but if not, we will be ok and in future maybe open our hearts to other kids who needs us.

[@marianatredway7211]

@@chordsofgratitude2073 Thanks so much!!

[@aliciaolsavsky4098]

You guys are doing so great!

[@teeteeiren9748]

Praying for "all" of you 🙏 💕

[@WhereToLillian]

So wonderful...good for you guys! Glad covid symptoms didn't hit too hard. God Bless You guys. I agree, she was probably trying to make her parents feel good when she said that. Poor little kids like that try to carry the world on their shoulders. I like your new grey glasses! Seems like you have a good schedule worked out.

[@HappyHoppe]

Yes, they definitely have gone through a lot and most days I’m just so impressed by them and their ability to choose joy and have a dance party ♥️ the oldest LOVES music and dancing in the living room 😍 currently what she is doing now as I’m writing

[@lizedupreez5620]

It's called mom guilt or foster mom guilt, don't worry, just remember they are all born with the ability to try and get us to do what they think is best, but you are the adult, she knows that and I believe it's a huge compliment because she felt like most 7 year olds to "tell" on you, especially with social worker, and the WORST thing she could come up with is we don't get enough sweets😱😂. What if she said they never talk to us or play with us or come when my sister cries. I have a smile on my face because ALL kids does not understand why sweets aren't a food group so mine does same, turning 7 in a month. Se actually gave you an 12 out of 10,because if that's het only problem with you, she is actually extremely happy and content and her heart is feeling better. That is so sweet. Well done you guys.

[@HappyHoppe]

Aww 🥰 thanks for your comment! Yeah! She is really doing well here and started school last week and starting to love that too!

[@Lifewiththedelgados16]

Love love the video!!🙂❤ Your doing amazing momma!!🙌

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks 😊

[@rebeccapopolo7405]

So sweet! My close friends have become foster parents and have the sweetest girls with them right now. I had always wanted to foster but watching their journey inspired me to start doing more research which is how I found you. I obviously don’t know the situation of your foster kids and that is their private business but the situation for the girls my friends have is very very rough and they may never go home and so she felt like if they wanted to call them mom and dad then that is fine and they did ask if they could call the mom and dad within the first week and she said if that’s what they wanted to do they could. But I definitely understand wanting to make that distinction to make sure they understand. ❤️

[@HappyHoppe]

Yeah, if it looked like reunification wasn’t going to happen and they wanted to call us mom and dad, we’d have no problem with it as we are willing to adopt any child that we say yes to placement. Thankfully the goal for this case is reunification within 6-12 months 💕

[@mareelewis7639]

You are all going so well. Just take care. 💕💞🌻

[@debbieblincoe9880]

OMG "where's my lisa"! Awww. I'm so so sorry you all came down with Covid!

[@HappyHoppe]

🥰 she’s the sweetest little girl 💗

[@christlives92]

So thankful these kids have such a loving home to fill the gap as their parents work to reunify. Is Miss A in a new school or was she able to continue at her previous school?

[@HappyHoppe]

New school as she is about an hour away now from her previous school - a lot of changes for her, but thankfully she’s really social, so she enjoyed her first week of school even though it’s challenging for her. Every day when I asked her what her favorite part was it was lunch and recess 😆 I’ll take it 😃

[@jourdynqura4940]

Music may be a coping mechanism for her. Maybe get her a pair of headphones and allow her to use them at certain times throughout the day.

[@HappyHoppe]

Good idea :)

[@michellehood3345]

My Lisa...awww how sweet....sounds like the honeymoon phase...

[@amandasevier5355]

May The Lord Bless and Keep You! Praying for you both.

[@HappyHoppe]

Thank you so much 😊

[@REMYDANN]

you are marvelous parenting those 3 kids

[@jillthompson9265]

You both are doing awesome !

[@oliviayates9963]

I am thinking of fostering and this video was real and wonderful

[@HappyHoppe]

Do it! And don’t be afraid to ask for help - you’ll be surprised how many people will rally around you as you step out 💕

[@FinMeg]

Their very lucky to have you guys 💯😊

[@HappyHoppe]

And we got lucky with them 💗💗💙

[@crazylicious85]

Love your new glasses!

[@janeminty6947]

Do a little research on Zinc. 50 mg will make most very nauseous... great job on fostering! God bless ❤️

[@HappyHoppe]

Yeah, and I took 100mg 😨 and same for when Peter felt nauseous! I just didn’t take it again 😂

[@DJ_afroASH]

Morning happy Sunday!

[@mountaingalhomemaker4179]

lol my youngest is 2 and whats that is his favorite statement at the moment and he knows what most the stuff is as well. but when my oldest daughter's boarding school closed last march i found out about 4 hours before i went to pick up my daughter i was also picking up 2 of her classmates who couldnt return home for one reason or another. one the students was my daughter's best friend who only goes home during summer break because her parents are missionaries in a remote part of central america so she often spends school breaks with us. but the other student an international student no less i had never met before. so i can a little understand suddenly preparing for a kid you never meet to stay with you an indefinite amount of time. he actually only stayed with us for 4 weeks but my daughter's best friend didnt go home until July

[@mafasantana]

When you said you were done and felt like you were losing... that’s just being a mom. I lose it at least 5 times a day. So you are doing better than me eheheh

[@HappyHoppe]

😂 ok good to know! I had another moment like that too - actually after I filmed this video 😂 it again was after a virtual visit and emotions were high for them and me. It’s the craziest feeling and I have to remind myself I’m the adult

[@mafasantana]

@@HappyHoppe I know! Is completely normal, specially in lockdown and all of you got Covid which is an added stress. Hope this week went better. Mine was very stressful, I yelled so much at them... but I don’t think is the way to go as had zero effect on their behaviour lol

[@HappyHoppe]

@@mafasantana aww, sorry you had a stressful week! Yeah, it's going much better now as we are in a good routine and the oldest is in school which has helped :)

[@sharonleong7120]

Wonderful. I love it very much. Well done.👍👍👍👍👍😍😍😍😍😍💯💯💯💯💯

[@ringoinah]

Going out whilst having COVID in the family? That’s not very responsible.

[@lucylousboutique8809]

Oh gosh. The head butts are rough. I got those a lot after visits.

[@hobsonfamily778]

Amazing! Keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers. Curious to know the difference in foster care/adoption in the US. In the UK, I think foster carers don’t tend to adopt the children in their care. Adoptive families adopt a child from foster care. How does foster to adoption work?

[@HappyHoppe]

In foster care in the US, the goal is ALWAYS for the kids to be reunited with their parents and 70% of the time that’s able to happen. When it’s not, for whatever reason, then those children can be adopted 💗 These children should be able to be reunited with their parents in 6-12 months 💗💗💙 Thanks for your prayers!

[@crazylicious85]

The 🕷 story is great 😆

[@HappyHoppe]

I know 😂 she is the cutest 😍 and so much braver than I am

[@crazylicious85]

@@HappyHoppe I hope you follow/are friends with Be the Village! If not, you should definitely check out their channel! They are foster parents too.

[@HappyHoppe]

@@crazylicious85 yes, I follow them :) thanks!

[@TreasureChest0806]

One of my biggest fears right now in taking a placement is that they may bring covid. It’s scary right now.

[@HappyHoppe]

I don’t know your health history, but I do know if God is calling you to do something, He will give you the strength to do it ❤️

[@wl32]

By chance were the glasses you bought Foster Grants? 😂

[@HappyHoppe]

? Is that a name of glasses? These are “Milo” I think on Eyebuydirect

[@wl32]

@@HappyHoppe Foster Grant was once a famous eyeglass brand.

[@BonkersAboutAlice]

It was irresponsible if the agency to place them given the pre exposure to Covid. You may think it was mild but things could have been different.

[@HappyHoppe]

Yeah, the other family though was no longer able to take care of the kids, so where else would the kids go 🤷‍♀️ You’re right, we weren’t guaranteed to have a mild case, but thankfully we did 😊

[@rebeccapopolo7405]

I mean what are they supposed to do with them? If the foster family they were with said they had to leave they have to be with somebody. 🤷‍♀️ I’m just glad that they were informed about it versus just not knowing that way they could make the choice they felt comfortable with.

[@BonkersAboutAlice]

@@rebeccapopolo7405 Well, my opinion is mine to have. It's irresponsible to push the kids on others without even a test.

[@maryly2688]

They knew they had been exposed before they chose to take the kids. Idk what you think should have happened; three children needed somewhere to stay and they said yes.