Ehrhart Family Update, April ’23

As many of you know, we have had two foster boys since April, 2021. Just last month on March 20, the judge in our boys’ case ruled that they needed to be returned to their bio(logical) parents. We had 48 hours to pack them and say goodbye. Shocked and devastated seem to be the two words that come to mind when I think back on that week. Shocked by the turnaround time. Devastated by the world the boys seem to be (re-) entering.

To say I’ve learned a thing or two over the past 2+ years being a foster parent would be an understatement. What I think I most appreciate is just how amazing my family is: Caleb, Katey, and Kenzie have demonstrated selflessness in ways I never even knew was possible at their age. It’s fair to say that the girls, in particular, were out-of-this-world. We could not have done it without them. I am so proud of all five of us, but I am hopeful that God uses what was one of the most trying experiences of their lives for His glory in an impact He would not have if they were not part of this process.

We only had three foster kids in our home during those 25 months (one boy was with us just a day, so technically, four). The stats say that 4,000 kids are in the foster system each year in our county of Sacramento. There are around 70,000 in California during a year, and over 600,000 in the US each year. And we hosted 4 over two years. A drop in the bucket–if even. So many thoughts about foster care, as it has been such a part of our family’s life for the past 2 years. But I’ll save that for the book I am slowly writing, Someone Please Call CPS on CPS.

As far as an update on our family, we are blessed.

CJ is in his last week of his first year at William Jessup University studying to be a teacher and very involved in their University Orchestra (tuba). He’s also enjoying working with kids he may someday teach at Charles Entertainment Cheese, as he likes to call it (Chuck E. Cheese, for the rest of us).

Katey is wrapping up her junior year of high school, continuing to babysit, and play club volleyball. She traveled to Dallas & will to Reno at the end of April. She’s looking at taking a nanny job this summer for a family where one of their kids is also in the kindergarten class Katey serves for her first period class. “Miss Katey” is quite popular, both with the kids & the teacher! She is in line to become the world’s best kindergarten teacher!

Kenz has shined in school again this year, and joined the club volleyball team after taking last year off. She finds herself babysitting “her kids” like Katey does, and continues to demonstrate richness in her friendships with both adults & peers, alike. The latter somewhat drive her nuts, though, which makes talking about college and career appealing to her. She’s aced anatomy this year (who takes that as an elective?!), making Sherry and I think she may end up in the medical field. We shall see.

Sherry has taken on a few more clients since the boys left. She carries a load of probably 25-30 or so regularly. She loves working private practice, and if the boys don’t return anytime soon, I suspect she’ll experience even more growth, and maybe even supervise some students or trainees.

I don’t think I’ve ever written an update like this before, ever! Seems like it might be boring to some, but it certainly reminds me how blessed we are.

Re: Foster Care … Want to read more or support the ministry where I serve on the Board of Directors? I love the Alliance!