On Saturday our church is hosting a Ladies and Little Ladies Tea Party. I am the coordinator, and we are expecting about 50 people from all age ranges, so the last week has been very hectic for me.

Hannah has been looking forward to this, and is counting down the days. Yesterday I discovered that there will be other foster children attending. Since most people in my church know that I am involved in foster care and adoption, they know they can speak to me about questions they have.

There are two new foster daughters in a home, and they will be joining our party on Saturday. No one will know but a few core people. The neat thing is that they will not be alone in being with someone other than their birth mother.

This tea started out as a mother/daughter tea, but the name was too limiting. We have aunts who are bringing their nieces, grandmas bringing granddaughters, and our pastor is bringing some girls who lost their mother to a battle with cancer. These girls will not feel singled out, but embraced as one of the group.

There is no charge for this event. We know that there are families where money is extremely tight, and even $5 per person could be a stretch. We wanted everyone to be able to attend. Instead, we are doing a free will offering for those who can afford to pay, and the money is going toward a diaper changing station in the church.

I am looking forward to this day as well, even though I am anxious for the preparations and stress to be over. The girls will all be dressed up in their fancy dresses. We have party hats available for those girls who would like to wear them. I have also planned games, coloring activities, crafts, and stories for the girls.

For a little while on one day, all these girls will be able to be “the same”. They will get to experience “female bonding” and just have a fun day. I am more anxious than ever.

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