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By: Sarah Fields, BA and Kerry Brown, MS, CLS: Parent Connext® Senior Parent Specialist. If your family hits a wall every May, you’re not imagining it. The end-of-school-year stretch is a perfect storm: testing, concerts, field days, sports tournaments, final projects, schedule changes, and kids who are so close to summer they can taste it. Routines wobble. Emotions spike. Lunchboxes disappear into the void. This month isn’t about doing more; it’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and using your family’s strengths to get through it with connection intact. By May, kids’ brains are tired. They’ve been “on” for nine months, learning, socializing, navigating friendships, managing expectations, and adapting to constant change. Add in: · Transition stress · Sensory overload · Academic pressure · Loss of structure When kids feel overwhelmed, it often shows up as: · Meltdowns · Irritability · Forgetfulness · Big feelings over small things · “I don’t want to go to school” mornings · Sibling conflict · Exhaustion Parents experience the same overload, just with more calendar invites. Natural Strength Parenting™ gives families a way to shift from “What’s wrong with my kid?” to “What strengths can help us through this moment?” Here are a few strengths that shine in May: · Perseverance — sticking with routines even when everyone is tired · Prudence — planning ahead to reduce stress · Teamwork — sharing responsibilities and supporting each other · Love — offering connection when emotions run high · Perspective — remembering this season is temporary When families name and use strengths intentionally, kids feel more capable, and parents feel less alone. Think of May as a month that needs extra padding. A few small adjustments can make a big difference: · Build in predictable pockets of rest. Ten minutes of quiet after school. A slower morning once a week. A “no plans” evening. · Use visual calendars. Kids feel safer when they can see what’s coming. · Simplify where you can. Easy dinners. Fewer commitments. Permission to say no. · Name the season. “May is a busy month for our family. We’re going to use our strengths to get through it together.” · Celebrate tiny wins. “You remembered your water bottle today, that shows your strength of responsibility.” These aren’t big interventions. They’re small, steady supports that help kids regulate when everything feels like “a lot.” When your child is melting down over the wrong color cup or a missing shoe, try this: “I can see you’re overwhelmed. That tells me your brain is tired, not that you’re doing something wrong. Let’s take a breath together. Which strength do you want to use right now; teamwork, perseverance, or self-regulation?” This does three things at once: 1. Validates the feeling 2. Reduces shame 3. Reminds your child they have strengths they can use It also helps parents stay grounded when emotions are contagious. The goal isn’t to have a flawless May. It’s to help your family move through a stressful season with compassion, flexibility, and a sense of “we’re in this together.” Try ending each week with one simple question: “What strength did we use as a family this week?” You’ll be surprised how often the answer is something small, and how much those small things matter. Summer is coming. You’re almost there. And you’re doing better than you think.

By: Brooke Rouse, BA and Marketing Manager In a home filled with songs, laughter, toddler wrestling matches and the steady comfort of routine, a family is healing together one day at a time. For the Ryan family, foster parenting is woven into everyday life, guided by intention, patience, and love. Their adopted son, Nova, embraces his newfound big brother role with boundless energy and joy. His excitement is unmistakable, especially when his foster siblings return home from appointments. Those moments of reunion reflect the forming bonds and sense of belonging the Ryans work to create. Nova’s new foster siblings, ages 13 months and 2 years, joined the family in mid-December. While the transition brought some understandable challenges, it was also filled with many joyful moments. During the holiday season, illness led the Ryans to spend Christmas together in Cleveland, where they created special memories full of laughter and what they fondly called “toddler wrestle mania.” The family has a strong, collaborative relationship with the children’s biological mother. Through open and consistent communication, she has remained close to her children and their daily experiences. While working toward reunification, she has been able to witness her children’s growth and happiness. This has strengthened her trust and given her hope throughout the process. Practical decisions such as enrolling the children in the daycare near their biological mother have helped maintain stability and meaningful connection. Both The Ryans and biological family share a unified goal: keeping the children together, with hope that they will return home this summer. The children’s biological mother has expressed gratitude that the Ryans are fighting for her and her children. She has found reassurance in knowing that if reunification were not possible, the Ryan family would be willing to keep her children together. The Progress That the Children Have Made Has Been Remarkable The progress the children have made has been remarkable. One child arrived emotionally guarded, appearing rigid and overwhelmed. Through consistent play, patience and gentle encouragement, he has transformed – now smiling, laughing, and engaging with confidence. His sister has made equally significant strides. Once hesitant and uncertain, she is now joyful and expressive! She also is sleeping peacefully in her own bed and room, learning to walk, and reaching milestones at school, including napping without her binky.   Routine has become a cornerstone of life in the Ryan household. Predictable bedtimes, shared meals, and circle time, complete with books and songs, provide structure and reassurance. Family outings are prioritized, including swimming lessons, zoo visits during the Festival of Lights, and drive through holiday light displays. The family rebuilt their deck and transformed it into an outdoor play space filled with slides, stepping stones, and toys that encourage movement, imagination, and creativity. Nova often joins in, teaming up with the younger children in playful mischief and shared adventures. Like any household with young children, challenges arise. Navigating toddler boundaries, learning what discipline strategies work best, and managing big emotions are part of the daily rhythm. The Ryans approach each challenge with intention and creativity, always centering connection, learning, and consistency. Support from Beech Acres Has Become Vital Support from Beech Acres has been a vital part of their journey. Knowing there is always someone ready to help with guidance and advocacy has allowed the family to move forward with confidence and care. For children who have already experienced multiple placements, this stability has been lifechanging. They feel safe. They look forward to bedtime. They are building routines, learning new words, and forming relationships rooted in trust. The Ryan family’s story is one of resilience, collaboration, and hope. It reveals the power of partnership between foster families and biological parents, the importance of routine and joyful experiences, and the profound impact of showing up, day after day, for children who need it most.

By Brooke Rouse, B.A. and Marketing Manager A Calling Rooted in Compassion  Social work goes beyond the title. It’s rooted in compassion, relationships, and a shared belief that every child deserves safety and connection. Social workers Jessica (Jess) Simes and Katelyn (Kate) DeShane embody this daily by using intentional, attachment‑based approaches to support children in foster care and strengthen families. Jess and Kate invest deeply in coaching foster parents, helping them navigate challenging behaviors with patience and understanding. They’ve seen how guidance rooted in attachment can transform family dynamics and give caregivers the confidence to support meaningful growth.  “Social work is more than a profession; it’s a calling from compassion, relationships, and the belief that every child deserves safety and connection”.  Creating Safe Spaces and Rituals   After Jess and Kate are introduced, the focus quickly turns to the kids and what helps them feel comfortable enough to open up. Both enjoy working with pre‑teens, knowing this age often needs honesty, consistency, and patience more than anything else. Progress usually happens slowly. Kids don’t always share everything at once, trust builds in small moments over time.  Sometimes those moments come from simple outings. A trip to get your nails done, grab ice cream, or visit the library might seem small, but for a child, it can be the first time they feel truly noticed. You never know which interaction will make a child feel safe enough to talk. Just as often, connection comes from quieter moments, reading the same book together and chatting about it, sitting side by side, or sharing something familiar. In one case, Jess started a mini book club with a foster child.   Routines help too. Returning to the same places, keeping plans predictable, and creating small rituals gives kids something steady they can count on. These moments aren’t about the activity itself.  they’re about showing kids they matter and that adults can be consistent and safe.  Rather than formal meetings, Jess and Kate often meet kids where they’re most comfortable: quiet spaces, familiar settings, or calm activities. They adapt to each child’s comfort level, knowing trust grows best when kids aren’t pushed before they’re ready. By meeting children at their pace, real connection starts to form, and that’s when growth happens.  Supporting Families Through “Parenting Backwards”  A core strategy that Jess and Kate teach is known as “parenting backwards,” an approach for children who may have missed early developmental or attachment experiences. Instead of responding to a child based on their chronological age, caregivers meet them at their emotional or developmental age, then build skills from there.  Many children in foster care may present older or act independent, but still need nurturing, co‑regulation, predictability, and reassurance that typically develop in early childhood. Because their nervous systems are often wired for survival, traditional discipline or long explanations can feel overwhelming and ineffective. “Parenting backwards” shifts the focus toward connection before correction.  Sometimes the most powerful response isn’t a lesson, it’s simply preserving the relationship and offering a reset.  Caregivers prioritize safety, regulation, and relationships by using shorter interactions and quick repairs after tough moments. In combination with predictable routines, and intentional responses, this approach lowers anxiety, rather than escalating it.  By meeting foundational needs first, Jess and Kate help caregivers lay the groundwork for genuine behavioral change.  Professional Expertise and Heart  Social Workers are required to hold a degree in social work and obtain licensure. Guided by honesty and clarity. They challenge the misconception that social work is simple.  It requires deep knowledge of trauma, development, family systems, and relational science, paired with compassion, advocacy, and professionalism.  A Steady, Transformational Presence  Through everyday moments of care, consistency, and empathy, Jess and Kate make a meaningful impact on the daily lives of children and families. Their work is transformational not because of big grand gestures, but because of the steady, heartfelt presence they bring to those they serve. 

By: Sarah Fields, Communications Specialist and Kerry Brown, Curriculum and Content Program Manager April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when communities come together to talk about safety, consent, and the ways we can protect and empower young people. One striking reality often shared by adult women is this: many say they were approached, sexualized, or hit on more often before they were even 18 years old than at any point in their adult lives.  That truth can feel heavy for parents. But it also gives us a powerful reminder: our kids deserve tools, language, and support long before the world starts treating them like adults. And the good news is that these conversations don’t have to be scary. They can be simple, everyday moments that build confidence and safety over time.  Adolescence is a time when kids are growing fast, physically, socially, emotionally. Their bodies may look older, but their brains are still developing the skills needed to assess risk, set boundaries, and navigate pressure. When adults treat teens like they’re older than they are, it creates a mismatch between how they’re perceived and what they’re ready for.  That’s where parents and caregivers come in.  You are your child’s first and most trusted guide. The conversations you start now, no matter how small, help them understand their worth, their rights, and their ability to say “no,” “stop,” or “I need help.”  Five Everyday Ways to Build Safety and Confidence                  Kids learn from repetition. Phrases like:                   These simple messages build a foundation long before bigger conversations happen. It’s never ok for anyone to touch you or talk to you about your private parts, unless they are helping you to be clean or healthy like a doctor(and a trusted caregiver gives the ok).                A safe rule:                 Secrets are meant to hide things forever. Surprises are meant to be shared.               If someone asks a child to keep a secret about touch, behavior, or communication,                that’s a red flag and they should always tell a trusted adult. Teach your child to say “No, I don’t keep secrets, and I’m going to tell.”               Kids who practice saying “no” in safe environments are more prepared to use it in                 unsafe ones.                Let them decline hugs, choose not to share a toy, or say they need space.                This isn’t rude, it’s rehearsal for real life.                 Ask before you help them change clothes, brush their hair, or pick them up.                 Say things like:                 When kids see adults practicing consent, they learn it’s normal and expected.                 Teens may look grown, but they still need guidance.                  Ask open-ended questions:                   Your calm presence, not perfection, is what keeps them talking.  If you’re not sure how to start, here’s a gentle, age-flexible script:  “This month, people are talking about how everyone deserves to feel safe. I want you to know that your body is yours, and you can always talk to me about anything—no matter how small or awkward it feels.”  This keeps the door open without fear or pressure.  Sexual Assault Awareness Month isn’t just about preventing harm, it’s about building a culture where kids grow up knowing they are valued, respected, and powerful.  When we talk openly about boundaries, consent, and safety, we’re not taking away innocence. We’re giving kids the tools they need to stay safe, confident, and connected. And that’s something every child deserves. 

By: Sarah Fields, B.A. March is a month of in-between. Winter hasn’t fully let go, spring hasn’t fully arrived, and families often feel that same wobble inside their homes, a mix of restlessness, renewal, and the desire for a fresh start. It’s the perfect month to lean into Natural Strength Parenting™, because this approach reminds us that growth doesn’t happen all at once. It happens the way March happens slowly, quietly, and then all at once. March invites us to notice what’s emerging. Kids are stretching into new routines, new emotions, new challenges. Caregivers are often doing the same. Natural Strength Parenting encourages us to: • Notice strengths in ourselves and our children • Name them out loud • Nurture them through small, everyday moments This month, think of strengths as seeds. Some are sprouting. Some are dormant. Some need pruning. All of them can grow. The soil for that growth, the 24 VIA character strengths; the natural gifts we all possess. Three Strengths That Naturally Bloom in March 1. Hope – The Strength of Looking Forward March is full of anticipation: warmer days, longer light, new possibilities. You might notice Hope in your child when they: • Talk about what they’re excited for • Try again after a setback • Imagine something new 2. Curiosity – The Strength of Wonder As the world thaws, kids start asking more questions, exploring more, pushing boundaries. You might notice Curiosity when your child: • Experiments • Asks “why” • Wants to try something their own way 3. Perseverance – The Strength of Keeping at It March can feel long. Kids (and adults) get tired. But they also keep going. You might notice Perseverance when your child: • Finishes a task even when frustrated • Practices a skill • Tries again after a mistake How to Bring All 24 Strengths into Everyday Parenting You don’t need a worksheet or a big activity. Strengths show up in the smallest moments. Here are simple ways to weave them into daily life: Catch strengths in the wild: • Kindness in sharing • Bravery in speaking up • Self-Control in taking a breath • Humor in lightening a tense moment Use short, specific language: • “That was Leadership.” • “You showed Fairness.” • “Your Love of Learning really came through.” Create tiny opportunities: • Let them help plan (Leadership) • Ask them to teach you something (Love of Learning) • Invite them to solve a problem (Judgment) • Encourage them to rest when needed (Prudence) Natural Strength Parenting begins with you. This month, try asking yourself: • Which of my strengths is helping me most right now • Which strength feels underused and ready to grow • Which strength might I be overusing and could rebalance When caregivers honor their own strengths, kids learn to honor theirs. March reminds us that change is already happening, even when we can’t see it yet. Your child’s strengths are growing. Your strengths are growing. Your relationship is growing. Natural Strength Parenting helps you notice the quiet beginnings that become lifelong confidence, connection, and resilience.

From the Bresler family’s first days with Jim and Lorraine Bresler, and on through the generations to their seven children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, the family has been full of love for many decades. With as many as 40 people in the extended family, they laugh that there are almost too many to fit into one picture. And it all started when Jim and Lorraine married on Saturday, August 8, 1953. “He was my first real boyfriend,” she said, while remembering about them going on car rides and to the movies together. It was a love that lasted and grew stronger, through the highs and lows of raising seven children. There were good times, like the New Year’s Eve parties – “We had so many people in our home the floors shook,” she said. And there were hard times, when money was so tight they had to choose between food and medicine, with Jim taking odd jobs to buy groceries. Through it all, the family’s love kept them together. Planting a Beech-Family Tree for the Family’s Love Story To memorialize their family’s love story for years to come, the Bresler family sponsored a pair of oak trees as part of Beech Acres’ Plant a Beech-Family Tree program, in partnership with Taking Root, the non-profit dedicated to protecting the local tree canopy. Beech Acres launched the program in 2024 to mark its 175th Anniversary of helping children and families in the area. The oaks and other species are perfect for commemorating new babies, engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, or any special family occasion. Lauren Enda, Lorraine’s daughter, explained the family’s choice to collaborate with Beech Acres and Taking Root. “These organizations mirror the generational impact our parents had—sustaining life, growth and connection well beyond their immediate circle. The two oaks we planted will stand tall for centuries, nourishing and sheltering life long after those who knew our parents are gone.” “The partnership between Beech Acres and Taking Root is a celebration of the connectedness between strong trees and strong families,” added Lauren, who also serves on the Taking Root board. “Taking Root protects and plants trees for future generations, while Beech Acres nurtures and supports strong families through guidance and resources. That’s why my family chose to honor our parents’ legacy in this way.” Love and Strength in a Big Family Lauren remembers the dynamic of growing up as one of many branches on a growing family tree. And just as Beech Acres brings a strength-based approach to parenting, Lauren recalls how character strengths grew in her family. “Because Mom and Dad were so busy at work and trying to provide for seven kids, we were all very resilient and strong,” Lauren said. “They may not have talked about how to make their children self-resilient, but they helped by instilling strengths in us, each in a different way.” And now Lorraine is passing the love on to the rest of her family. “We have a family meal every Tuesday we call the lunch bunch. It’s our weekly family reunion and I always look forward to it. “I’m so thankful every day for this family.” More information is available here about the Beech-Family Tree program from Beech Acres and Taking Root.

By: Sarah Fields, BA Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a series of small, steady actions that help children feel secure, valued, and connected. Kids don’t remember the fancy moments as much as the everyday ones: the way you look at them when they walk into the room, the rituals you repeat, the repairs you make after hard moments. Here are five simple, powerful ways to help children feel truly seen and safe, no extra time, money, or perfection required. 1. The “I See You” Moment Kids light up when they feel noticed. A few seconds of intentional presence can shift their whole day. These micro-moments tell a child, “You matter enough for me to stop and take you in.” Try this: · Pause what you’re doing for 5–10 seconds when they come to you · Make eye contact · Offer a warm greeting: “I’m glad you’re here” 2. Predictable Routines That Feel Like Home Routines aren’t just schedules, they’re emotional anchors. They help kids feel safe because they know what to expect. Predictability builds security. Security builds confidence. Confidence builds connection. Try this: · A consistent morning or bedtime ritual · A weekly family moment (Friday pizza, Sunday walk, etc.) · A “goodbye” or “welcome home” routine 3. Connection Before Correction Kids listen better when they feel connected first. A moment of warmth opens the door to cooperation. When children feel understood, their nervous system settles, and they can take in what you’re saying. Try this: · Get on their level · Use a gentle tone · Start with empathy: “That was really frustrating, huh?” 4. Repair After Hard Moments Every family has tough moments. What matters most is what happens after. Repair teaches kids that relationships can bend without breaking, a lifelong emotional skill. Try this: · A simple apology: “I’m sorry I got loud. You didn’t deserve that.” · A check-in: “Are you okay? Want a hug?” · A reset: “Let’s try again together.” 5. Celebrate Who They Are, Not Just What They Do Kids feel deeply loved when they know they matter beyond achievements or behavior. Affirming their character helps them build a strong internal sense of worth. Try this: · “I love how curious you are.” · “I noticed how kind you were to your sister.” · “I love being your parent.” Love in action is quiet, steady, and deeply human. It’s not about grand gestures, it’s about the small, repeated signals that say: You belong. You matter. You’re safe with me.

By: Sarah Corbin, BA and the Parent Connext® team As the holiday season ends, we are exiting a busy season. The school events stack up, routines of wobble, emotions run high, and the pressure to “make it magical” can feel heavier than a snow-covered pine branch. Amid the glitter and bustle, many caregivers find themselves wondering how to stay grounded, present, and connected with their kids.  This is where Natural Strength Parenting shines, especially in a month like last month.  What Is Natural Strength Parenting?  Natural Strength Parenting is a relationship-centered approach that helps caregivers notice and nurture the strengths already present in their children and in themselves. Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, it invites families to lean into what’s going right: curiosity, kindness, resilience, humor, creativity, and the small sparks of growth that show up in everyday moments.  The holidays are full of opportunities to practice this, even when life feels chaotic.  1. Slow Down Enough to Notice Strengths  Kids show their strengths in tiny, fleeting ways; a moment of patience with a sibling, a brave attempt at something new, a creative solution to a problem. In a busy month, these moments can slip by unnoticed.  Try this:  This simple reflection builds confidence and connection without adding anything extra to your todo list.  2. Create Small Rituals That Anchor Everyone  Rituals don’t need to be elaborate. In fact, the simplest ones often become the most meaningful.  A few ideas:  A nightly “rose and thorn” check-in  Rituals help kids feel safe and grounded, and they help adults slow down enough to breathe.  3. Let Go of “Perfect” and Lean Into “Present”  Natural Strength Parenting reminds us that connection matters more than performance. Kids don’t need perfect decorations, perfect cookies, or perfect behavior. They need you — regulated, responsive, and human.  Try reframing:  Presence over perfection is a gift to everyone.  4. Build Emotional Warmth into Cold Days  The holidays can bring big feelings: excitement, overstimulation, disappointment, fatigue. Natural Strength Parenting encourages caregivers to respond with curiosity rather than correction.  You might say:  When kids feel understood, their nervous systems settle — and so does yours.  5. Celebrate Strengths in Your Family Story  As the year winds down, take a moment to reflect on the strengths your family has shown. You can make this playful and creative:  These rituals help kids see themselves as capable, growing, and valued.  The holiday season doesn’t have to be a marathon of expectations. It can be a month of noticing; noticing strengths, noticing connection, noticing the small moments that make family life meaningful. Natural Strength Parenting gives caregivers a gentle, grounding framework to navigate the season with more calm, compassion, and confidence.  And the best part?  You’re already doing more of it than you realize.

By: Brooke Rouse, BA, Marketing Manager When Nikki and Adam first dreamed of growing their family, they imagined adoption—not foster care. “Funny story,” Nikki says with a smile. “We knew we wanted to adopt, and years ago, I even spent a summer working in an orphanage in Romania.” With two biological children already, they attended a large seminar filled with adoption agencies. Foster care wasn’t on their radar. “We were sure we didn’t want to foster,” Nikki recalls.  Their adoption journey eventually led them to China, where they welcomed their son into their family. Life was full and beautiful, but God had more in store. “We walked into Beech Acres thinking about adoption again, kids whose parental rights had already been terminated,” Nikki explains. “But God put it on our hearts to walk with biological families, too.” That shift changed everything. They joined the foster care program at Beech Acres Parenting Center (BAPC), and for the past four years, they’ve opened their home to sibling placements and provided respite care for other foster families. Along the way, they’ve built incredible relationships with biological families, something Nikki calls “a privilege.”  Their first placement was unforgettable: premature twins who spent months in the NICU. “We have twins on both sides of our family, so we thought it was really special,” Nikki says. But the reality was challenging. The babies were medically fragile and needed constant care. “Failure to thrive, feeding issues. There was so much to learn,” Nikki shares. Yet her biological kids embraced the babies wholeheartedly, and Nikki formed a close bond with their grandmother. “We still talk twice a month,” she says. “It was an amazing experience.” Nikki even helped the grandmother and eight siblings move into a new home, making sure they had Christmas gifts and everything they needed. Her second placement brought more joy – and more challenges – with three four-year-olds and a three-year-old, all with medical needs. Through it all, Nikki’s strength has been advocacy: “I fight for my kids. That’s my role.”  Beech Acres has been a constant source of support. “From the very beginning, they’ve gone above and beyond,” Nikki says. When the county wouldn’t allow her to visit one of the babies in the NICU, BAPC stepped in. “Even the CEO called to advocate for us,” Nikki recalls. “They never stop fighting for families.”  Fostering has taught Nikki something profound: “I’m capable of loving kids instantly.” Her family is beautifully diverse, with African American, Chinese, and Hispanic children. “It’s a privilege to love these babies,” she says. “I’m more protective and stronger than I ever imagined. I never thought I could handle medical needs, but now I know I can.”  Building trust starts with the basics: food, safety, and play. “Adam is the fun one,” Nikki laughs. “He gets down on their level, plays, and makes them laugh.” For Nikki, it’s about creating a nurturing environment where kids feel secure and loved. “Our kids are the biggest love bugs,” she says.  Her advice for anyone considering fostering? “You can do it, you just have to jump in,” Nikki says honestly. “The first two weeks, you’ll wonder if you made a mistake. But with a support system, you’ll get through it. We didn’t cook dinner for two weeks because friends and church stepped in.” She recommends reading trauma-informed books and leaning on community. “Once those kids walk through your door, you love them. I choose to do the hard things because they don’t have a choice. If not me, who? If not now, when?”  One memory stands out: her current placement of siblings, ages three and four. “Little moments – like when our three-year-old started talking – are everything,” Nikki says. “Kids who’ve been through trauma are still capable of love. They can soften and tender. Seeing that transformation is incredible.”  Adoption and fostering have shaped Nikki and Adam’s family in ways they never expected. “We said ‘no’ to certain needs at first,” Nikki admits. “But when those kids became ours, none of that mattered. You love them with all your heart.” 

By: Brooke Rouse, B.A. and Marketing Manager When Jenn and Ernie first learned about fostering, they weren’t sure they were ready to open their home full-time. But after watching close friends serve as foster parents and provide respite care, short-term support for foster families, they decided to give it a try themselves.  “We started out just helping our friends,” Jenn recalls. “We took the respite classes and began staying with their foster kids on weekends or during emergencies. Before we knew it, we were doing respite all the time and we absolutely fell in love with it.”  Those early experiences opened their eyes and hearts in ways they never expected. Through respite, they met children from all walks of life, supported single foster parents who needed time to rest, and gained hands-on experience that helped them feel more comfortable and confident. “If we hadn’t done respite, we wouldn’t have become foster parents,” Jenn says. “Respite helped us realize how much love we had to give, and it showed us what we were capable of.”  Eventually, the couple decided to take the next step and open their home to a full-time placement. That’s when they met Nova, a baby with complex medical needs who truly called on them to love bravely.  Nova required oxygen at night, regular visits with multiple specialists, and endured several hospitalizations in just a few months. “It was terrifying at first,” Jenn remembers. “He almost died from RSV. Emotionally, I was in crisis mode all the time. But even when he was sick, I always knew in my heart that he was coming home.”  Caring for Nova was demanding and emotional, but it also revealed a new depth of love and strength within them. “He was a child that many people might have said no to,” Jenn says softly. “But we couldn’t imagine saying no. He’s taught us more about love, resilience, and faith than we ever thought possible.”  Throughout every challenge, Beech Acres Parenting Center has been there for them. “Jess, our social worker, was amazing,” Jenn says. “She was at our house weekly and always just a call away. The foster community and Facebook group have been so supportive – it truly feels like family.”  They also found comfort and friendship through other foster families. One family in particular, the McHales, became like an extended family. Their adopted twins and Nova are now inseparable, “three peas in a pod,” Jenn laughs.  Jenn and Ernie have learned the importance of being genuine and creating a sense of security for every child who comes into their home. “Ernie and I talk a lot about being our authentic selves,” Jenn explains. “He always says, ‘We acknowledge their fears and sadness. We make sure they have their own space – fresh pajamas, a toothbrush, new socks, a stuffed animal – so they feel safe and cared for.’”  Some of their most meaningful moments are the ones filled with quiet love: sitting in a child’s room until they fall asleep, playing music to calm their worries, or offering reassurance when visits with biological family don’t go as planned. “You love them like they’re your own, even if you know they might not stay,” Jenn says. “It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”  Jenn remembers one special moment vividly – the day she told a young girl that she got her Christmas wish. “She wanted to live with family again, and I got to tell her she was going to live with her grandmother,” Jenn smiles. “Her face just lit up. Moments like that remind you why you do this.”  Another lasting memory was a birthday dinner for Ernie with two girls who were about to return to their mom. “We took them to the Incline House for Ernie’s birthday. It was freezing, and he gave them his jacket. It was the last time we saw them—but it was filled with love and laughter.”  For those thinking about fostering but feeling unsure, Jenn encourages starting small. “Be a support to foster families. Try respite care first and see how it feels. You’ll fall in love with the kids – you really will.”  Today, Nova is thriving, and Jenn and Ernie have officially adopted him. Their journey has strengthened their relationship and shaped their family in beautiful ways. “We didn’t start fostering to adopt,” Jenn says. “We foster to reunite families. Nothing in foster care is guaranteed. But it’s changed us for the better – it’s made us stronger together.”