Saturday morning began baby's first overnight with us. She did fabulous! She was a little nervous when we first arrived at our house, looking around in each room trying to figure out where she was. We took it easy the rest of the day and just had lots of snuggles, playtime and I wore her in the Moby wrap a good bit. She relaxed considerably after a hour or so. We got lots of real smiles out of her! She slept great during the night, although I didn't because I kept worrying about her waking up. Haha! She absolutely loved watching all her brothers play and she squeeled and kicked her legs in excitement a lot. She is such a happy and good baby so we really had no problems.
On Sunday, my mom came over to help me since the boys were getting dropped off for their first day visit at our house. We knew it was going to be crazy especially for Nehemiah who isn't used to sharing his stuff. We put my iPad and Nehemiah's special blanket on my bed and had prepared him to go in there to calm down as needed. He was sent in there 2 times, I think. He had also gone though his toys and picked out a few that he just wasn't ready to share yet and we put those up in my closet for the day. All of the boys were so excited to be together, it was cute but a little insane at times. :) After some playtime and lunch, we headed to our local park to run off some energy. Next we headed back to our house, for a little more playtime. I fed baby and gathered all of her stuff up from the weekend. Then it was time to drive the kids back. Thankfully, my mom volunteered to stay with Nehemiah so he didn't have to make the 3 hour roundtrip car ride.
There were some tears and tempers flared but overall it was successful. We have to start somewhere with them getting used to each other in our home. It will definitely be helpful to get some tips from the counselor tomorrow.
On the car ride taking the kids back, we had some good conversations. Oldest boy and I talked a little about how it was going to be a hard adjustment at first for everyone but that we'd work through it together. We talked about how the grown ups will handle the issues and that he didn't have to try and correct the other kids. We talked about how it will be to share a bedroom because he has his own room at his foster home. He said he wants the top bunk. :) I encouraged him to finish the school year strong and to do his best. I gave him huge hugs when I dropped him off and told him I love him already and couldn't wait to see him again.
Then I took the younger two further down the road and had some sweet conversation with middle boy. Until now he's been kind of oblivious to what is going on and I know he still doesn't understand fully, but I did tell him that one day all of us were going to live at my house. He said, "We are?!?" with a huge grin on his face. He loves Joseph and calls him "Jo-fish." So cute! I talked with him about getting smiley faces from school for good behavior. He talked about being a Rescue Hero and I used that opportunity to tell him that rescue heroes need to listen carefully and follow directions. I got super big hugs before I left. I dropped them off at a Wendy's with the other foster mom and I was crying before I even made it out the door. This is so hard.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Grandma Laura meets the Kids!
Yesterday we had another fun park day with all the kids and Grandma Laura got to come and meet them. She, of course, fell in love with them right away and not far into the visit they were calling her Grandma already!
The boys love all the attention and are happy and fun kids. I can tell we will be spending a lot of time outdoors and at parks! If only we could bottle up all their energy! With middle boy, I got to be Dora and Joseph was Boots the monkey and he was Diego most of the time. We played baseball and tag together too.
Gots lots of smiles and cuddles from baby girl yesterday and tried the Moby wrap for the first time. It worked great and felt so snug and safe. She liked the Robin hip hold that I learned from a YouTube Moby tutorial. I put baby down on a big blanket and she was scooting forward in an army crawl position! I couldn't believe it! As a mom you don't want your baby to grow up too fast, but you REALLY don't when they aren't even living with you yet!
It just about broke my heart loading two of them into the transport worker's car when it was time to go. I know it will just get harder as we attach more and more. Baby girl was buckled in car seat crying and reaching her tiny hands up to me.
When the visit was over we took oldest boy in our car to his baseball field and stayed to watch his game. He got two great hits and he loved the fact that we were all there to watch him. :)
During the day we were able to have conversations with oldest boy about homeschool, chores and the kids coming to visit our house on the weekend. He was excited and says he likes chores. We have been told all along he really likes to help so that will be great! He was also excited about the fact that school can be over by lunch time if he works hard and has a good attitude.
Absolutely love their hugs! Oldest boy gave us each about a dozen hugs when it was time to go. It is so cute to see an almost 9 year old boy completely jump up into Joseph's arms for hugs. He is very affectionate!
A counselor that has been working with the kids is coming to our house this week to talk through any concerns I have so far and to start working with Nehemiah through his feelings about it all. I am so thankful that this service is available to us. It will help us in huge ways. Adopting from the state has so many benefits.
We will be having a virtual baby shower thrown for us soon so keep an eye out for that via Facebook. In the meantime, you can help by checking out my blog post titled, "How YOU can be involved with our adoption". I have started working on a Walmart wish list for a "special occasion" also. We appreciate so much the gifts we've already received. Things are moving quickly and it all really helps.
The boys love all the attention and are happy and fun kids. I can tell we will be spending a lot of time outdoors and at parks! If only we could bottle up all their energy! With middle boy, I got to be Dora and Joseph was Boots the monkey and he was Diego most of the time. We played baseball and tag together too.
Gots lots of smiles and cuddles from baby girl yesterday and tried the Moby wrap for the first time. It worked great and felt so snug and safe. She liked the Robin hip hold that I learned from a YouTube Moby tutorial. I put baby down on a big blanket and she was scooting forward in an army crawl position! I couldn't believe it! As a mom you don't want your baby to grow up too fast, but you REALLY don't when they aren't even living with you yet!
It just about broke my heart loading two of them into the transport worker's car when it was time to go. I know it will just get harder as we attach more and more. Baby girl was buckled in car seat crying and reaching her tiny hands up to me.
When the visit was over we took oldest boy in our car to his baseball field and stayed to watch his game. He got two great hits and he loved the fact that we were all there to watch him. :)
During the day we were able to have conversations with oldest boy about homeschool, chores and the kids coming to visit our house on the weekend. He was excited and says he likes chores. We have been told all along he really likes to help so that will be great! He was also excited about the fact that school can be over by lunch time if he works hard and has a good attitude.
Absolutely love their hugs! Oldest boy gave us each about a dozen hugs when it was time to go. It is so cute to see an almost 9 year old boy completely jump up into Joseph's arms for hugs. He is very affectionate!
A counselor that has been working with the kids is coming to our house this week to talk through any concerns I have so far and to start working with Nehemiah through his feelings about it all. I am so thankful that this service is available to us. It will help us in huge ways. Adopting from the state has so many benefits.
We will be having a virtual baby shower thrown for us soon so keep an eye out for that via Facebook. In the meantime, you can help by checking out my blog post titled, "How YOU can be involved with our adoption". I have started working on a Walmart wish list for a "special occasion" also. We appreciate so much the gifts we've already received. Things are moving quickly and it all really helps.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Saturday fun!
On Saturday, Nehemiah and I were gone for 12 hours! We were exhausted by the end of the day but we had a great time.
We started the day with going to see oldest boy's baseball game. He was excited we were there and so were we! The boys talked and played around as often as they could. I even heard them telling one of the coaches that they were going to be brothers! Too cute! We had printed out some pictures from our visits to give to him. And he really liked them!
After that we grabbed some lunch and trekked across the city to visit the foster parents of Baby girl. It was great to meet them and get a feel for how she has been raised so far. They are sweet, God-loving and homeschooling family! Then we took baby to a nearby park and splash pad. Nehemiah ran and played and I got to have 2 hours of playtime with my sweet girl. :) She fell right to sleep in the car ride back to her house. It was a long 1 hour and 40 minute drive back to our home through traffic. Very long day but worth it!
Tomorrow we are getting their rooms set up so when they come to our house for the first time they can see they have a place here with us. Things are coming right along and falling into place!
So excited!!!
We started the day with going to see oldest boy's baseball game. He was excited we were there and so were we! The boys talked and played around as often as they could. I even heard them telling one of the coaches that they were going to be brothers! Too cute! We had printed out some pictures from our visits to give to him. And he really liked them!
After that we grabbed some lunch and trekked across the city to visit the foster parents of Baby girl. It was great to meet them and get a feel for how she has been raised so far. They are sweet, God-loving and homeschooling family! Then we took baby to a nearby park and splash pad. Nehemiah ran and played and I got to have 2 hours of playtime with my sweet girl. :) She fell right to sleep in the car ride back to her house. It was a long 1 hour and 40 minute drive back to our home through traffic. Very long day but worth it!
Tomorrow we are getting their rooms set up so when they come to our house for the first time they can see they have a place here with us. Things are coming right along and falling into place!
So excited!!!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Second Visit
Today was the best anniversary ever! We got to spend over 2.5 hours with all of our kiddos!
We met at a nearby park and had so much fun. The boys all seemed to get along and play together well.
Baby girl fussed a little at the beginning but was happy once she had a rattle to hold and was in the sling.
We kicked the soccer ball around, threw the football, played policeman, pushed them on the swings and watched them play on the playground equipment. Had chances to interact with each of them more than last time. They remembered us from last week and were excited to see us, it seemed.
The worker that knows the kids well and was supervising the visit kept saying how great she thought we would all be together. She said she could see how we all fit and were bonding already. She snapped a few pictures that I hope to get copies of later.
Middle boy (G) kept looking for Joseph all throughout the afternoon and really seemed to have bonded with him. It was so cute! He would say, "where'd he go?" And I'd ask "who? Brother? Nehemiah?" He'd say, "no, where Joseph go?" I'd point to where Joseph was and he'd be happy again. Later he got a ride on Joseph's shoulders and really liked that!
Oldest boy (J) let me know that he knew I'd been in contact with his foster mom through email and that she was telling him the nice things I was writing about him. He looked happy and proud. When we arrived he said "I knew it'd be you coming today!" :)
Looking forward to another visit on Saturday and so very glad we don't have to wait a full week to see them again.
Praying for their hearts as they start to realize the changes that will be happening in the coming months, especially for Oldest boy (J) since he is really the only one that understands right now, besides Nehemiah.
We met at a nearby park and had so much fun. The boys all seemed to get along and play together well.
Baby girl fussed a little at the beginning but was happy once she had a rattle to hold and was in the sling.
We kicked the soccer ball around, threw the football, played policeman, pushed them on the swings and watched them play on the playground equipment. Had chances to interact with each of them more than last time. They remembered us from last week and were excited to see us, it seemed.
The worker that knows the kids well and was supervising the visit kept saying how great she thought we would all be together. She said she could see how we all fit and were bonding already. She snapped a few pictures that I hope to get copies of later.
Middle boy (G) kept looking for Joseph all throughout the afternoon and really seemed to have bonded with him. It was so cute! He would say, "where'd he go?" And I'd ask "who? Brother? Nehemiah?" He'd say, "no, where Joseph go?" I'd point to where Joseph was and he'd be happy again. Later he got a ride on Joseph's shoulders and really liked that!
Oldest boy (J) let me know that he knew I'd been in contact with his foster mom through email and that she was telling him the nice things I was writing about him. He looked happy and proud. When we arrived he said "I knew it'd be you coming today!" :)
Looking forward to another visit on Saturday and so very glad we don't have to wait a full week to see them again.
Praying for their hearts as they start to realize the changes that will be happening in the coming months, especially for Oldest boy (J) since he is really the only one that understands right now, besides Nehemiah.
Monday, March 17, 2014
How YOU can be Involved in Our Adoption
Many of you have asked how you can help us or what we need for the kids/our expanded family. Thank you, first of all, for praying for us and caring for us! Secondly, thank you for reaching out and asking!
We NEED your prayers. This is going to be a HUGE adjustment for everyone involved (us, Nehemiah and the kids...including the foster parents that are attached to these kids).
We NEED you to be positive and encouraging. We already know it will be hard and we know the horror stories and we know the possible issues that may arise. And we know we will have our hands full! We have said yes to adoption in obedience to God because He has placed a burden on our hearts for kids in foster care and a love for them. We are trusting God to help us each step of the way. We have resources and support in place to help with all of the needs. So please, just be encouraging.
We will NEED help with meals once the kids move in. We expect this to happen in May/June. We will know more specifically as our visits progress. In mid-April we will mostly likely start having them for the weekends.
To sign up for MealTrain use this link:
http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=mmftjsv5euqt
To sign up for MealTrain use this link:
http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=mmftjsv5euqt
If you feel led to contribute to material or financial needs, here are some possible ways to help:
Diapers (size 3 or 4)/Good nights (size 4-8)
Wipes
Board books
Board games
Wii games/remotes
Leap pad apps/games
Baby gates (we need several)
Wipes
Board books
Board games
Wii games/remotes
Leap pad apps/games
Baby gates (we need several)
Mini van (joking, unless of course you have one to give us!)
Deep freezer or a refrigerator/freezer
Sam's or Costco membership
Legoland passes
Baby toys (12 month+)
Homeschool materials (if you want to help with this, ask me what I'm looking for)
Desktop computer to use for homeschool
Desktop computer to use for homeschool
Gift cards:
Grocery stores (Winn Dixie and Publix are nearby)
Gas
Walmart
Thank you to those who have already given us items we needed! Thanks so much for loving on us and our kids!
Friday, March 14, 2014
First Visit
Wednesday was our first visit with the 3 siblings we want to adopt. We had previously planned for a park day but the intermittent rain all day spoiled that plan. Backup plan was a local bowling alley.
The boys were all so excited and were a little wild! Everyone seemed to get along and fun was had by all! It was interesting juggling my attention between all of them while holding and keeping baby happy. My awesome sister in law is sending me a moby wrap so next time will be easier with some of my hands free to interact with the boys. Dividing my attention between them all will take some getting used to and practice but it went very well. Joseph was able to come but was extremely tired from work. He did get some baby snuggles and helped the boys bowl too.
We hated for it to end and are really looking forward to next week's visit and praying for good weather for the park! :)
The boys were all so excited and were a little wild! Everyone seemed to get along and fun was had by all! It was interesting juggling my attention between all of them while holding and keeping baby happy. My awesome sister in law is sending me a moby wrap so next time will be easier with some of my hands free to interact with the boys. Dividing my attention between them all will take some getting used to and practice but it went very well. Joseph was able to come but was extremely tired from work. He did get some baby snuggles and helped the boys bowl too.
We hated for it to end and are really looking forward to next week's visit and praying for good weather for the park! :)
Monday, March 10, 2014
Matched!
On February 3rd our home study to adopt from foster care in Florida was completed! Woohoo! I was giddy and it all of a sudden felt so real. It was about to get even more real.
A few days later we were informed about a sibling group of 3 for adoption and given a brief bio on them. We both felt great about it and requested that our home study be submitted for further consideration.
We were contacted for a phone interview by the agency the following week.
On Friday February 14th we were called and told they chose us as a match for the kids! I was in tears and felt like I had gotten 3 positive pregnancy tests all at once!
The next Wednesday we went for a full disclosure meeting part 1. We listened for 2 hours straight all about the kids, their history and birth family. They sent us home with a 5 inch binder full of all their information and records (a little light reading...ha!).
Thursday February 27th we went for full disclosure part 2 to talk over any questions that came up in our "light" reading and hear from foster parents and others that work with the children. It all went well and any remaining concerns we had dissipated after discussing it all. We continued to pray about it and seek wise counsel.
On Monday March 3rd we told them YES we would like to proceed to visits!
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