May Newsletter

May is National Foster Care Month!

Author

Tracey Albrecht
May 20, 2025

Hi Friend! 

May is National Foster Care Month, which according to our President, “Families raise our children, pass down our values, and hold communities together, forming the foundation of a strong country. 

Yet, far too often, for reasons beyond their control, children and young people find themselves in situations without an avenue for safe and loving care. These circumstances can be difficult for them, but it is the devoted foster parents across America who rise to the occasion with selfless compassion to ensure every child receives love, support, and a sense of belonging.”

FOR REASONS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL… I just want to point that line out. When we think about foster parents, we have to shift our focus off the foster parent sometimes, and realize, the foster child is in this situation for reasons beyond their control. They really are in a situation where the child has no voice. Foster parents are a bridge.

A bridge between the State that takes “control” over the child legally, and the child themself. We as foster parents are called to love and care for them, show them a safe place. Listen to them and guide them.

As we sit and wait for our adoption date with our foster daughter, little miss 3 year old, we are about to sever that bridge between the state and our foster child and the team that was to look out for her best interest will 100% be ours. We are grateful and feel very blessed but know that down the road, we will be answering heart wrenching questions from our little girl. We will do the very best we can with love and God’s guidance. 

If you are on the fence on becoming a foster parent, please know that it is a calling and for us personally, I can’t imagine a greater mission in life then to guide the children in our care and love them for as long as they are with us. I am a HUGE fan of Mister Rogers, I watched him as a child and was always such a calm, caring person I looked forward to watching.

This quote from Fred (Mister) Rogers “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then, there are those who see the need and respond.

I consider those people my heroes.” and I consider those people MY heroes too! If you aren’t sure where to start… do a google search “Foster care agencies near me” and start there. You can also get licensed through DCFS or CPS in your area. Investigate, pray, and if called…respond and invest in our children.

Blessings and prayers appreciated that our June 17th adoption date HAPPENS!
Tracey

IN OUR HOUSE

Even the littlest readers can feel the love. 💗

Because Every Family Has a Story

May is a month to honor and reflect on the unique beauty of foster care, and Baby Tree is one small way I’ve tried to do just that. I wrote this book for children, but also for the grown-ups walking through the ups and downs of foster care and adoption. It’s a tender story that helps explain how families can grow in ways we never expect, rooted in love, hope, and belonging.

Whether you’re a foster parent, an adoptive family, or simply someone who wants to support a child through their journey, Baby Tree opens the door to conversations that matter. I continue to hear from readers who say it’s helped them feel seen, comforted, and encouraged.

If you know a family who could use this message, I’d be honored if you’d share it with them.

👉 Get your copy of Baby Tree today.

BOOKS I’M READING

The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor

By Amy Hollingsworth

The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights From the World’s Most Beloved Neighbor by Amy Hollingsworth offers a heartfelt look into the spiritual legacy of Fred Rogers, the gentle man behind the beloved television program.

More than just a host of a children's show, Mister Rogers lived a life of quiet integrity, shaped by deep faith, compassion, and purpose. This book tells the story of a meaningful friendship between Rogers and Hollingsworth, one that began with a TV interview and blossomed through years of letters and thoughtful conversations.

Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister who rarely spoke directly about God on his program. Yet his faith was present in every moment. As Tom Brokaw of NBC Nightly News once said, “Mister Rogers was an ordained minister, but he never talked about God on his program. He didn’t need to.” His life reflected his beliefs, showing love, acceptance, and grace to everyone he encountered.

This intimate portrait is a powerful reminder that living out our values through small acts of kindness can be one of the most faithful responses to a hurting world. If you're looking for something meaningful to read during Foster Care Month, this book is a beautiful and inspiring choice.

FEATURED BLOG POST

A Christmas we’ll never forget — the season our family grew overnight. 💕

When Three Became Five

Our second foster placement came with a call we never expected: three young siblings, needing a home, immediately. We had just one evening to prepare, but God met us in the chaos. What followed was a beautiful, exhausting, and stretching season as our family grew from four kids to seven—welcoming not just one, or two, but three new little hearts into our home.

In this blog post, I share how our family grew overnight, the realities of fostering siblings, and the quiet ways God was preparing us all along 👇🏻

👉🏻 When Three Became Five: Our Second Foster Placement, read the post now!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Start Your Foster Journey with Confidence

Navigating the foster care licensing process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. The Foster Parent Starter Kit helps you stay focused, feel prepared, and keep everything in one place.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • Help choosing the right agency and understanding your next steps

  • Printable tools to organize appointments, paperwork, and to-do lists

  • Ready-made documents to save you time and energy

  • A simple, organized system to keep it all together

Whether you're just starting out or already deep in the process, this kit brings peace of mind.

Do you know someone that is thinking of fostering? We would love it if you would forward this email to them so they can sign up!