Hi, my name is Krista Pursley. I have been married for 7 years to
a man named Stephen. All together we have 6 children and 3 grandchildren.
I am a part-time student at OU taking 11 credit hours, but I am also taking
a 3 credit hour Trigonometry class at OCCC. At OU, I am taking the
following courses: Research Methods II, Psychology Capstone, Mythology &
Folklore, and I am a TA (teacher assistant) for a PSY1113 class. My graduation date is scheduled for this May
where I will be receiving my Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
I am a full-time foster parent & mom as well. Since I became a foster parent in March of 2009, my husband and I have fostered approximately 35 children. We will be adopting one of the children this February and will adopt a second foster child in the near future. In a few days, we will also become legal guardians to a wonderful 15-year-old girl. My goal for after graduation is to secure a job as a foster care worker for either DHS or through a private organization.
The main hobby that my family and I participate in is called the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). For anyone who does not know about this group, we dress up in medieval style clothing and reenact the Middle Ages. In addition to the people in our household, we have 4 cats named Blizzard, Thumper, Luna & Snickers. My favorite TV shows are House, Law & Order: SVU, The Walking Dead & Castle. However, I rarely get to watch TV anymore because of my family’s hectic schedule.
Over the Christmas holiday break, my family spent a lot of time together doing arts & craft projects, going to Christmas parties, and reorganizing and deep cleaning the house. That last part was pretty boring though! If I had the time and energy, I would love to spend my “free” time making jewelry, sewing clothing, working out & getting back into shape, dancing and croqueting.
I am a full-time foster parent & mom as well. Since I became a foster parent in March of 2009, my husband and I have fostered approximately 35 children. We will be adopting one of the children this February and will adopt a second foster child in the near future. In a few days, we will also become legal guardians to a wonderful 15-year-old girl. My goal for after graduation is to secure a job as a foster care worker for either DHS or through a private organization.
The main hobby that my family and I participate in is called the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). For anyone who does not know about this group, we dress up in medieval style clothing and reenact the Middle Ages. In addition to the people in our household, we have 4 cats named Blizzard, Thumper, Luna & Snickers. My favorite TV shows are House, Law & Order: SVU, The Walking Dead & Castle. However, I rarely get to watch TV anymore because of my family’s hectic schedule.
Over the Christmas holiday break, my family spent a lot of time together doing arts & craft projects, going to Christmas parties, and reorganizing and deep cleaning the house. That last part was pretty boring though! If I had the time and energy, I would love to spend my “free” time making jewelry, sewing clothing, working out & getting back into shape, dancing and croqueting.
(Image information: 2014 Mom's competitive dance group. I'm on the left.)
(Image information: Family photo from November 2013--Our 3 youngest children)
Krista, your story is so interesting! The fact that you have fostered about 35 children blows my mind. I'm happy to see you and your husband's hearts are so compassionate. I use to watch House a few years ago because one of my friends got me hooked on the show. Each episode was so intriguing! Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteHey, psychology major buddies! That's so awesome that you have such a big home and you adopt. I am only 20 but when I get older I would really like to have kids of my own and adopt as well. I also love cats and have one of my own with my roommate. He is a munchkin cat so his front legs are really short. He is a cutie pie! I also absolutely LOVE castle, it is such a good show! My family and I watch it all the time.
ReplyDeleteWow, you should write a book about your fostering experiences, Krista: I bet that would be so inspiring! And how cool that your children and grandchildren get to know about the creative wonderfulness of SCA. And listen, here's something to ponder for your project in this class: people have done children's Storybooks before.. and they have done medieval Storybooks... but nobody has done a medieval type of Storybook with children in mind. I bet that could be really cool! Anyway, I hope that you will enjoy the class and find lots of stories to share with your children!
ReplyDeleteWow, Krista I wish there were a lot more people out there like you! You have such a kind heart to foster so many children. I know many people who feel a certain way about not wanting to have children that re not biologically theirs, but I never understood that. I would love to children one day whether biological or adoption. Reading this is really inspiring. Also, I love that you're going into social work. It really is a growing field that needs people like you. Also, congrats on your nearing graduation! I am also a Psychology major, but going into nursing after I graduate.
ReplyDeleteHey Krista! I’ve always wanted a big family and your sounds amazing! I love working with foster kids. For the past five years I’ve volunteered with RFK Camp in the summers. You may have heard of it? It’s very impressive that you are able to take eleven hours and take care of such a large family. The SCA sounds somewhat like larping, which has always sounded fun to me. That’s great that you are able to do that as a whole family. Your cats have great names! Sounds like you have a hectic exciting life ☺
ReplyDeleteHello Krista it is nice to meet you...6 kids?????? Wow I bet that is a very busy house full of love. I grew up with three other siblings and our counsins lived with us, so I know what it is like to be one of six kids but I would have no clue of what it is like to have six kids. I bet it is alot of fun. 11 hr plus a trig class, well I wouldn't say that you are part time in any sense of the word...especially with trigonometry...well It was great to meet you and have a great semester.
ReplyDeleteHey Krista!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SO CLOSE TO GRADUATING! My roommate and I are graduating this spring and are so excited. She's a psychology major too! It's neat that you dress up and recreate the middle ages! Do you participate in the Renaissance Fair here in Norman each year? I usually go and belly dance there, but I'm thinking about dressing up in a corset and other time-period clothing this year.. which would make belly dancing impossible.
I worked in a foster home as a caretaker for a couple years when I was younger and loved every minute of it. It was so rewarding and helped me to become who I am today while fostering empathy and interest in others. I really admire foster parents and adoptive parents. You guys have to deal with things that many other parents will never face.
Good luck with your busy semester!
Wow Krista! How amazing that you can manage school on top of what sounds like being an awesome foster mom! SO much respect for you. Those kids are so lucky to have someone pouring time and attention into them! I'll also be graduating in may, so we have that in common! Good luck with everything your future holds!
ReplyDeleteHey Krista!
ReplyDeleteI think that it’s absolutely awesome that you and your husband foster and adopt children! The world needs more people like you two! I am also a Psychology major graduating in May! It is so scary how fast graduation is approaching! I am both excited and quite nervous. I had never heard of SCA but it sounds pretty cool. Do you go to the Medieval Fair? I usually volunteer there with my service fraternity and it’s a blast! Good luck this semester!
Congratulations on being so close to finishing your degree. I'm sure you must be counting down the days at this point! I almost considered doing a Psychololgy major, but I ended up going with Economics instead. I still somewhat wish that I had stuck with Psychology for a little while longer, but it's too late at this point. Also, as everyone else has probably mentioned, that's really cool that you've fostered so many kids.
ReplyDeleteHey Krista, congratulations on graduating this May. That is awesome. I think it is really nice that you have opened your home to children in need. I have had a few friends in foster care. It is heartbreaking what some children have been through. Good luck in finding your dream job. I love the television show House! I can watch it all day. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteKrista! I admire you so much for doing all that you do AND going to school. I know I don't really know you, but just from reading your intro I can tell you have such a big heart for kids and for mothering! I love that you allow others to step inside and are adopting, it is something I really want to do once I get older. Also, I have been to the medieval fair in Norman and that SCA stuff sounds so cool! Legitimately, what a cool and unique hobby. Beautiful family and beautiful intro!
ReplyDeleteHello there, Krista! So glad I got to read your introduction! I'm a fellow psychology major, and I applaud you for being so close to graduating! I also have an immense amount of respect for you for going to school and doing everything else that you do. You should give me time management tips! It was really heartwarming to read that you and your husband are foster parents and that you want to go into that field. I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you live a very busy and fulfilling life!! I think the fact that you have fostered so many children is absolutely awesome! That’s such a wonderful way to let children know that someone is on their side. Congratulations on your new adoption as well! It sounds like you are a really great role model to your children and you have a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I love that you reenact Medieval Times! I think that is so cool, my buddy and I are actually trying to join a LARPing club over the summer.
ReplyDeleteI think that is so great your family is a foster family. My best friend was in foster care and the family went on to adopt him and his brother. If it wasn’t for his foster family, he would not be where he is today. Hope graduation goes great! It is just around the corner.