A Gift From God

We received an email about two weeks ago.  It was from our case worker.  She said she knew we were very busy with our family and the toddlers but thought of us to ask first and... was wondering if we would be interested in taking in an infant girl?  I got that emotion of excitement mixed with can this possibly work?  She was right.  We are very busy.  By the grace of God and no other this is working with the toddlers here and life is good.  The toddlers are settling into a routine.  They are bonding slowly but definitely bonding.  They are learning the rules of life and our home.  They are a LOT of work but I have enjoyed having them here immensely.  We can not imagine life here without them.  The Lords will be done.

Tim and I were laying in bed, just the night before, talking about the toddlers.  We don't like to ever talk about a child possibly staying, as it makes them going so much harder if they do.  These children have parents but...their case is moving toward termination very quickly.  Their case worker just came out to our home to discuss the time line and possibility of adoption this week, so we all know where everyone stands if termination happens.  Tim and I laid in bed talking hypothetically if the boys stayed would we close with DFCS?  Would we stay open and do respite for other families when they needed it?  Would we...could we... take another child?  We only had an opening for one more child according to DFCS rules.  A girl.   Tim said he loved working with the toddlers county and would only take another child if that county offered us a girl.  BAM   The next day we got this email and when I called for more info, it was a drug exposed, preemie, infant, girl from the same county as the toddlers.

The foster mom who had baby "K" was going to have surgery and needed respite but DFCS was also looking for a long term placement for her.  So Tim and I talked about it and told DFCS we would at least take her to help out while our friend had her surgery.  I prayed specifically...Lord...if you wish for her to stay for the duration of her case, help her fit in like a glove.  From the day we got her, she has fit in like a glove.  I have enjoyed the toddlers but having her here has been like frosting on the foster care cake.  I have enjoyed every moment with baby "K", even the snuggly night feedings.  The toddlers have not been jealous, Glory to God.   My other children love having her here as much as having the toddlers here.  Tim and I prayed, talked and by the second day she was here, we contacted DFCS and told them we would love for her to just stay.

So now the new normal...God has carried me daily and organized my days and times, so everything necessary is getting done.  From baths to bottle feedings.  From naps to diaper changes.  By the grace of God it is all getting done!  Baby "K" is giving me four hours of sleep in a row in the night.  So she is really only waking up once in the night to be fed.  Praise God, this is very doable and like I said...  that special time together is just so peaceful and lovely.  The little grunts and noises they make.  The smiling in their sleep as they are being burped.  That place by my neck...where only a new born can fit while having their back patted is as content as can be.

Tim and I went to a foster care meeting on Monday and someone there saw we had the new baby and the toddlers.  The next day she donated two huge boxes of gently used clothing for them.  There was several outfits in the boxes that were for little boys size 3t and 4t that will fit the boys when they grow some.  There were a few character boys shirts that the boys loved with Buzz Lightyear and Blues Clues on them that fit them now.  Also after sorting through it all.. baby "K" will have all the clothing she needs till she is 18 months old!  Then when the case worker came to talk about the toddlers case this week, she brought another huge bag some other foster parent has passed along to us, though her, which added to the first bunch.  So if baby "K" stays for a while, we don't need to buy a thing and if she goes home, her mom will be set for a very long time!  I was able to take a huge box of clothing we could not use out of those boxes and pass those along to another foster parent!  God's provision is just so amazing to me.

There have been several days over the last two weeks I have barely touched my computer.  So, being tomorrow is Fathers Day and I know I won't have time to do a post.  I just want to say thank you to my dad for being the best dad a daughter could ever have.  Also, a very Happy Fathers Day to my hubby Tim.  Thank you Tim for all the diapers you have changed, formula runs you have went on, meals you have made, baby feedings you have done so I can get something done or sleep.  That you always love me beyond what I expect or deserve and have the best attitude and outlook in life.  You are a Biblical loving supportive husband and a wonderful dad to every child we have ever had in our home.  May God bless you and all the dads out there tomorrow and every day!

We don't know how long the toddlers or baby "K" will be with us, so we are trying to make every moment count.  God is so good.  So very, very good.

May God be with us all everywhere we go, guiding us in all we do.  May He provide opportunities for us all to serve and be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth...till we go home to be with Him forever.

"My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

Blessings,

susan