How many Foster Parents represented here? or past foster kids? Tell us about life in fostered family PLease? ty

I was in foster care for a very short time when I was young, but the family was really amazing.  The were strong in their Christian faith, and had two boys who had came in as foster children and they had eventually adopted, one who had down syndrome.

My fiance was placed in foster care when he was 12 years old and has stayed in until he graduated high school and turned 18.  His foster family is even more amazing.  Him and his brother lived with a single foster father, a big burly man named Paul (imagine Paul Bunyan, you aren't far off!).  When I first met John, I thought it was kind of strange that a single guy was a foster parent--not anything wrong with it, just something you don't see very often.  But Paul is definately not the only member of this foster family.  When he takes a child in, the whole family takes them in.  Every Sunday they go to church, then to Paul's mom's house (known to everyone as Grandma Hilma).  The whole family is there, lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other unrelated family.  Everyone is treated like family though. 

When I was 8 months pregnant with my first son, my mom went through a mini-meltdown and kicked me out of the house. Grandma Hilma took me in until I could find my own place, threw my baby shower for me, and even helped furnish my apartment when I got it. 

Paul is my children's grandpa, and all of his family is our family.  John has done a lot of work with the foster care system in North Dakota since he "aged out" as they say.  He has worked to get college funding for foster care children, and has even traveled to D.C. with Paul and his brother to help improve the system. 

I think way too often, foster parents have a negative stereotype surrounding them.  But for the most part, in my experiences anyway, they are good people with huge hearts who are truly in it to help the children. 

Once we get our lives figured out and grow up a little bit more, John and I plan to be foster parents as well.

I was in foster care as a baby and thank god I dont remember it. From the time I was born until I was placed for adoption at 5 months I went through 9 different foster homes. I can tell you I was a messed up child and adult. I am learning to overcome this.

We have a new Foster mom on board and   I hope she shares  her Non traditional life here .... This is such an IMPORTANT type of family and we need to interest families in taking more kiddles on and out of  bad situations  ....to love  to nourish  to give value  to youngsters  whove sufferred deep hurts ...