[AlekseiGirl]

Hello everyone! I have been a foster parent before, I took kids ages 0-5. I had 15 kids in 18 months. I adopted my precious daughter, she came to me at 2 days old. She is 2 now! I also have a 6 year old bio daughter. I moved from California to Texas, and I am in the process of getting licensed again. I am looking for advice on the following situation:

I'm getting licensed again, and I WANT a baby girl. And a 3-5 year old GIRL. But something in my head keeps saying BOY BOY BOY. It's time for a boy. Something in my head also keeps saying TEENAGER. Nutso, I know. So, today it occurs to me that I know someone that fits both of these categories.

I'm not very good at "reading the signs." Once, a friend of mine who was studying to be a minister, pointed out that it wasn't a coincidence that I had a bunch of random encounters with foster kids. She said that God put those people in my path to lead me in the direction of foster care. HMMMMM, I hadn't thought about that.

I'm in that situation again. Thanks to my friend, I recognize these encounters as possibly more than coincidence. So, back to my story. I have a student named Craig. (I teach 11th and 12th grade English at a school for at-risk youth). I was drawn to him the day I met him, but I didn't know why. I later found out that he is a foster kid, and lives in a group home. He's an excellent kid. He's very concerned about his grades and he works his butt off. He has a job. He's tough, he comes to school everyday. He had surgery YESTERDAY to have his adnoids removed and a tube put in his ears, and he was at school today. He's 17. He'll be 18 in October, and I keep thinking that this poor kid is going to have NO FAMILY. He won't have a place to go on Thanksgiving or Christmas. He won't have anyone to stand at his high school graduation. This bothers me...alot.

I feel very driven to find out more about him and his situation. Could I possibly adopt a 17 year old boy? Is it possible that God led me away from a previous fost/adopt situation, and to a job 45 minutes from my home just to meet a teenage boy that needs a family? Can I AFFORD TO FEED THIS KID?

What do you think? I'm looking for honest answers from those who have had teenage foster kids. I always say "Reality is the leading cause of stress for those in touch with it." Am I nuts? I am a single mom, and I have two girls. I have a stable job, a great supportive family, and a lot of love to give.