Working Backwards

I have a hard time writing about our foster care experience knowing I can't sit and fully explain everything.  Sharing snippets just doesn't seem right or easily done.  This thinking is clearly silly given I have literally had 4 interruptions since I opened this page; not to mention the constraints I am under to keep case details private.  At the sweet urging of a friend, I am going to try to get parts out, however incomplete they seem.

I always encourage our kids to complete their toughest or least desirable work first, and then finish up with the fun or simple stuff.  I'm going to go ahead and not take my own advice.  I'll work backwards on D's story, because where he's at now is "only God could do that" perfect for him, and feels easier to explain.  Plus, I am the kind of person who has the tendency to skim a book, read the end, and then the beginning.  For those of you in that same camp, I dedicate this backwards story. :)

D is currently an only child in a pre-adoptive home.   This translates to lots of undivided attention for D in a family who wants to adopt him should the case move to termination of parental rights (TPR).  His resource parents, Mama S and Daddy D, are head over heels in love with him.  As in they want to wake him up when he's sleeping (that's totally insane in my book), because they can't get enough of him type of love.

It's not just the way they feel about D that makes them a wonderful fit.  Mama S and Daddy D are followers of Jesus and continue to read to him from the Word, pray for him, and with him.  Mama S had already read The Connected Child which I also had read, learned a lot from, and on which we based some of our parenting of D.  This has helped smooth the transition.  They have a family member who is a therapist for young children from trauma who is helping them help D.  After being told he was too young for any services through the state, I am thrilled for him to have access to this resource. This is a small thing, but they already ate quinoa.  D could out eat anyone I know in a quinoa eating contest.  Parents of toddlers, you know how important a child's chosen food staples can be!  The more I hear from Mama S, the more little things I see that are just right for D.

I hope this gives you a snapshot of the way God has prepared this family for this time for little D.  I still marvel at the loving providence of God placing D with Mama S and Daddy D!  The fact that a foster child left our home and we know where he is, how he's doing, and feel great about both of those things is such a gift of grace!

Let it encourage us all to seek, trust, and obey Him who has written these days before anyone of them has unfolded!

Processing

On April 10, six months and 3 days after he arrived on our doorstep, we said a bittersweet goodbye to D.

My head and my heart are still processing all that has taken place, and the wondrous ways God has answered prayers and given D the most incredible family that suits him oh so perfectly.

I hope to be back soon with more of the details.  For now I will close with Scriptures that feel fitting to the way we've witnessed God at work:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.
                                                     ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 

Happy Birthday, D!

D loves his new lawn mower :)

D has been working on saying, "I'm two!" :)

New Trick :)

3/24/13 Baby J took 5 steps to me! :)  Go girl!!!

Recent happenings...

Lily and friends learning about an orphanage in Africa before making rag dolls to send  the children.

Morning reading :)

Sweet girls riding in the wagon we gave Lily for her first birthday.