Yes our blog fell off the face of the earth for a while, so long in fact that when I signed in to blog this post I had forgotten my log in information! So here is a very condensed story of the last 9 months our lives. Life got a little busy after Marley's 2nd birthday.
Just after Marley turned 2 Patrick and I were thinking maybe it's time to start talking about more kids...be careful what you ask for right? because it never quite happens how you think it will. We got a phone call from a family member the middle of September telling us that a distant relative had a baby boy who is still in the hospital and needs to be adopted. (I will not be sharing every detail right now as I do not want to affect any future court appearances.) This was on a Friday and we were not able to reach anyone with DCFS to discuss this situation until Monday so all weekend I was thinking...We're ready for another baby...I could have another baby this week?! I was very anxious for Monday to come, and when it did, Patrick and I spoke to a caseworker with DCFS and we were updated on the circumstances for the baby and also his 1 year old brother. We were informed that they were actually looking to place both of the boys with a family for adoption. We were a little shocked at all of this, adding 2 children to our family with in a matter of weeks was not something we were totally prepared for. So we had a few days of thinking things over and we both had an overwhelming peaceful feeling that these boys were supposed to be with us. So we made a decision and contacted DCFS to tell them that we wanted to adopt both of the children, we felt so right about bringing these boys into our home we knew we would find a way to make things work. And thanks to many friends and family who got us clothing, cribs, diapers, wipes, and showered us with love and support, we were able to welcome 2 very special boys into our home. Before they moved in we got to meet the 1 year old. He and Marley played together a few times to help with the transition. He was a happy boy, solid and still a little wobbly when he walked, and smiled at anyone who looked his way. His name is Michael.
Once Michael had met us a few times we transitioned him to our home to live. We also got to see the baby and learn more about his situation. The day we found out what hospital he was at we immediately went to see him. It broke my heart to see this fragile infant fighting for his life. He was born with some medical problems that affected his heart and lungs, he also was diagnosed with a bone deformity. This is how we met him the first day.
We still do not know exactly what long term affects these things will have on his life. After this day he was visited by myself or Patrick almost every single day until he was released after 6 weeks of being in the hospital. We got an update on the status of the situation with DCFS and we were informed that the judge was offering reunification to the boys' mother which meant that there was a very real possibility that they would be going back to her. We were devastated. Our hearts were already so attached to these boys and wanted them to be a part of family forever. We went through many emotions and hard decisions and concluded that no matter where these boys were going to end up, for now they were with us and we would love them and take care of them the best we could. The baby came home with oxygen and was to be on it 24 hours a day. On top of that he had numerous doctor appointments and needed constant attention. Good thing Marley loved having a baby in the house. She is a good helper.
Michael did not like his Halloween costume the first time he put it on. But on Halloween there was not a tear shed, maybe only for more candy. Marley on the other hand loved her costume, and was doing her best to console him.
The kids in their Christmas P.J.'s.
Shhhh...this means that they both might stay asleep long enough for me to do the dishes or maybe take a shower...
Having all 3 kids at home was probably the busiest my life has ever been, but completely worth it. We have been so blessed while being busy parents. I was able to quit my job and stay home with the kids, which helped greatly when we had to do licensing to become foster parents (its a lot of work!) to have the boys stay with us in our home, and attend all the doctor appointments for the kids. We are sad to say that Michael did leave our home to go back to his mother, but he is doing well and get to see him once a week when we take the baby for his visit. We still have the baby with us in our home and are hoping that he can be a part of our family forever. By the end of the month we should have a final answer as to where he will end up.
So for now we enjoy every day together. Not knowing what the future holds we try to laugh as much as possible, stay positive, and remember that the Lord's hand is in everything and we have faith that this is no different. The baby recently got a helmet to help shape his head and hopefully he won't have to wear it anymore once the weather starts to warm up. He is already a sweaty boy and the helmet doesn't help. Marley loves him and is so good to him.
Thank you to everyone for your love and support we could never say thank you enough for all that you have done for us and our kids. Any prayers you would like to send our way while we await a final answer for our family would be much appreciated.
Max slept almost the whole flight.
Breakfast at the beach.
Sick kids, humidity frizzed out hair, cool wind blowing, but still an enjoyable sunset.
We were sad to leave but happy to get home.
