The past 5 days have been very emotional. The whole not knowing much, not having a lot of information, etc. can really begin to take its toll on you! There you are one day, making plans to see a movie with friends, when BAM! The phone rings, and 2 hours later, there are 2 strange kids on your door step with great big eyes, looking scared and relieved all at the same time.

So, we took a deep breath and dove right in...

Today was our Family Team Meeting. This is where all parties (social workers, investigators, foster parents-us, birth family, attorneys and several other people) involved get together and talk about all sorts of things. We met the birth mom today. My first impression of her was “good”. That’s probably all I can say about that. I believe that she will “work her case” and get her children back. And, here is where the growing up begins...

When Chris and I first began to talk about adoption, I was totally against foster care. I thought I would get attached to the children (well, duh!) but, also, how in the world could I let children go back to a place they were removed from for their own safety? I really didn’t give much thought about the birth parents or family. They should have taken care of their kids. But, as Chris and I went through the 10 weeks of foster care training, I began to understand the importance of foster care and what the goal of it is. The goal is always reunification with mom and dad. In my book, this was still a little crazy, even after all the training! Why would they want to do that?

And, this is where I grew up...

When I saw the birth mom with her kids, I knew my job was to take care of her kids while she gets her life in order. At the drop of a hat, all that is within me wanted to hug her, and do anything I can to help her get “A” and Baby Girl back. As attached as I am to the kids (already) I want so badly to get this family back together. I realized that I am so selfish. Who am I to think that I am/would be a better mother to “A” and Baby Girl? I wasn’t even thinking about the birth mom. To understand the circumstances in which the children were taken away from, made me realize that I have no idea what these parents are going through. 24 hours ago, I was dreading meeting birth mom and letting her kids visit with her. I was taking off work, and I just knew “A” would revert to all his olds ways. All the work we had done through the week would be gone. Could I be more wrong?? Nope. “A” was such a good boy. He was so excited to see her but also kept a close eye on Chris and I. After the meeting, our social worker walked out with me and the kids and birth mom. Birth mom strapped both “A” and Baby Girl in the car. As she did, my heart dropped. I wanted to take her with me. She laid across the car seats and sobbed. Trish (our social worker) and I stood back to let her have her time. Good thing Trish was there, or I would have been sobbing as well. I had tears in my eyes as it was already. I promised birth mom that we would write down all the milestones that Baby Girl accomplishes while in our care. I told her we would take pictures throughout the week and bring them to her next Thursday (next visit). She was very thankful for that.

“A” and Baby Girl’s next visit is next Thursday. I am actually looking forward to it. I am excited to see birth mom begin to “work her plan” I just know she is going to do a great job. Please join me in praying for her.

Foster care is hard work. It is very challenging. It is busy, not a lot of time to myself. Ben and Emma have to share their rooms, house, mom and dad, school and so on. But, I know that Chris, Ben, Emma and I would not change this life for anything in the world. I can’t find the words to express the rewards what the 4 of us feel when “A” accomplished something new. We have all been teachers this week! Bath time tonight was the best so far. He went to bed very easy, and was an excellent little guy when we walked to the park tonight. It is awesome to think that God has placed “A” and Baby Girl in our lives. I pray every night and morning and well, really all day, for God to continue to give the 4 of us patience . God has given us not only patience, but peace as well.

If you would like to see a picture of “A” and Baby Girl, leave a message or let me know, and I will email you.