Six

After recent court hearings, we have learned that we are 6, for at least 6 months longer. Our Little Guy is not able to go home at this time and we will not go before the judge again until January. When we return in January he will have been in our home for 1 year, or 25% of his 4 year old life. This next 6 months matter big. The first 6 months are of little consequence as biological parents have time to meet the requirements the courts have given them. The 2nd 6 months is a turning point. Things really need to begin happening, or goals have to change.

It can be a challenging time for us as this little person becomes more and more a part of our family. We have to think about the future with caution, because we have no idea what it holds. We continue to pray for the biological family, even when daily frustrations can make it so hard to do so. Major changes can come about on a daily basis. We are learning not to let those phone calls or new bits of information wreck us, but to just go with the flow.

As with any type of mothering, most days start with acts of service long before you even want to be awake, and often end with acts of service later than you want to be doing them. However, each day gets easier. As we get to know him, things that would have thrown us for a loop 6 months ago don't even phase us any more. Back in January, the first time our Little Guy threw up in the car, I almost had a nervous break-down. 6 months and 5 car throw-ups later, we travel with a buckets an carry on when it happens. We know when he is over-tired, what activities might trigger emotions in him and how he likes to fall asleep.

Our children are complete rock-stars. They have been the best foster siblings I could ever have imagined. They have so much compassion and love for him. They are always willing to play, serve and love right along with us. They have unselfishly shared time and resources. Their is a little bit less of mom and dad to go around and they have been so patient with that. They are learning that not every family looks like ours and that some people have hard lives. They are seeing consequences for poor choices and how they affect the people around you. They are growing up and maturing through this and we are so proud of them.

Please pray with us. In so many ways this experience is not what we expected. I realize as we work through our situation that I really longed for a quick, easy reunification. For a happy-ending wrapped up in a pretty bow. We still pray every day for that happy ending and know that God has a plan for our Little Guy's life, but no answer is easy at this point. There will no doubt be joy in the sadness however this ends. Until then, we love him each day and pray for God to take care of him and his family. I pray for loads of wisdom on the people who have to make big decisions in his case. Thankfully I am not one of them, because there are no easy answers. Prayer, compassion, love and patience that is where we need to be for the  next 6 months. Each day is a fight to choose those things over frustration, tiredness, worry and judgment. It is a learning process all the time.

We are just living in and enjoying the day to day. Reading books, riding bikes, sharing God's word, swimming, scootering, making friends, wrestling, playing and providing experiences. We are walking in faith and waiting to see what the future holds. 

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