‘‘They said they felt like they were on television and thought it was so funny,’’ Jensen says. ‘‘I realised then they had probably never sat at a dinner table as a family before.’’

Jensen says fostering the five-year-old girls – who cannot be identified – has made her family appreciate the little things.

‘‘They have a sense of wonderment at our routines and they really love all these new experiences,’’ she says. ‘‘That brings a freshness and a new appreciation to your own daily life.’’

For the twins, their nine months with the Richmond family have been full of new discoveries.

There was the time they got their first bikes and learnt to ride or the first time they went to the movies, thoroughly enjoyed the previews, then got up to leave, thinking the show was over.

Jensen laughs, saying maybe they get more out of fostering than the twins do.

Foster caring can take a lot of patience and commitment, she says, but has also brought Jensen and her partner, Michael, and kids, Jakob and Abby, closer together.

‘‘It’s strengthened our family so much,’’ she says. ‘‘Seeing Michael’s compassion, or one of our kids teaching the girls new things – we just fell in love with our kids all over again.’’

Jensen wanted to foster for years before calling the Collingwood-based Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service last year. An information pack was followed by a few calls, then a training program.

Jensen believes there is a misconception all foster children are difficult, but says her experience with the twins, and fostering another child briefly before that, was different.

‘‘The children I have fostered just want somebody to care for them,’’ she says. ‘‘You hear the horror stories about abuse and neglect but not how beautiful it can be to show kids an alternative to whatever experiences they’ve had before.’’

Jensen is documenting everything – their kinder graduation certificates, photos and movie tickets – in a scrapbook. She says one of their favourite activities has become flicking through their books and talking about what they’ve done.

‘‘In nine months we can show them an alternative way of living, and maybe they’ll hold onto something from that. Like when they were giggling that night at our dinner table – maybe when they have their own kids they’ll remember how nice that felt to be there as

a family.’’

Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service is now recruiting carers. For more information, call 9270 9351.

or email fostercare enquiries@goodshepvic.org.au