It is amazing to me how a space you didn't even know existed in your heart can be filled so quickly; and how once it is filled, being separated from that which filled it can feel like the greatest void.
Last weekend was absolutely amazing. We met with the boys' team and had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about these kiddos. We established the transition plan and then got into the specifics of how the weekend would unfold. We arranged to meet the boys with their caseworker at a park later that afternoon.
The drive to the park felt like the drive to the hospital when you are in labor - only the contractions in my stomach were butterflies anxiously fluttering around. We got there a little early and they got there a little late so it felt like the longest wait before their caseworker's vehicle pulled up. They got out and stuck close by her as they walked our way. She introduced us and they politely shook our hands before they ran off to play. I was so grateful for their sake that we had met at a place that allowed them to escape the awkwardness that I am sure they felt. I felt a nervous anxiousness, I can't imagine how they were feeling!
We spent a couple hours at the park and as the time went on, the boys began to warm up to us. By the end, the oldest was asking questions a mile a minute, wondering what his new house was going to be like, what kind of toys he would have, if he would get to have a birthday party... all the things that are important to a 6 year old. The younger two were giggly, interactive, and sweet. We left the park with plans to pick them up at daycare the next morning.
The next day we picked them up at 10 and had them until 5. We got them each a little gift bag with some car tape and cars, a mask, a little imaginink coloring book, a themed straw cup, and their own copy of the book I wrote. They saw the gift bags right when we got into the hotel room and opened them, thanking us for each item (which they would continue to do many times over the weekend). We enjoyed the pool, a pb & j lunch in the room, and playing with all the toys we brought from home - like half the toys we own!
The very most heartwarming part of the day was when the oldest casually asked,
"Hey mom, why is the pool cold?"
I'm not sure what answer I gave because I was too busy melting over being called mom!
It was a great day overall and 5:00 rolled around far too quickly. They went home with their provider with plans of coming back on Saturday.
We picked them up on Saturday morning and visited for a while at their place before heading back to the hotel. We spent another wonderful day playing in the room and the pool, and finished off the night with a pizza and root beer float party! This was our first overnight experience and it went so well.
They had told their therapist that one thing we should know about them is that they always say their prayers before bed. So when bedtime rolled around we started winding down and going through the motions:
Brush teeth - the littlest one had to gargle and spit 3 times and the oldest
wiped off the counter and inside the sink when they were all done;
Go potty - nothing is funnier than all three boys ringing around the toilet to pee at the same time!; Snuggle/Story/Highs & Lows - The younger two ran over to the bed I was on yelling
"I want to snuggle Mommy!"
(cue me melting again!)
and they loved the book and pointing out their bird, names, and pictures;
and finally prayers.
I had prayed with the oldest while the other two were bouncing around on the bed but when we turned out the lights, all three boys protested in unison "WE DIDN'T SAY OUR PRAYERS!!"
My hubby reassured them we could pray with the lights off, but they flipped the light back on, all flipped onto their knees on the bed, and did the sign of the cross (Catholic foster father) before the oldest began praying "Now I lay me down to sleep" with the little ones repeating each line after him. So stinking adorable!
The next morning we soaked up every last minute playing in the pool and room with them and then packed a picnic for the park where they would meet their siblings! Tears welled up in my eyes as we pulled and I saw my four kiddos waiting excitedly to meet their new brothers. We introduced them and snapped a few photos together before releasing them to play. It was so sweet to see how quickly they clicked and played together. We ate our picnic and played some more before heading back to drop them off. Our goodbye was not tearful, more so excited for when we would meet again.
We were able to Facetime them Monday and Tuesday and they were excited to see their siblings and a little bit of the house and some of the toys! Now we are set to head back tomorrow to spend the weekend with them! Praying the weather cooperates enough to allow us to get down there!
I could write so many details about the boys and the amazing first weekend we spent together, but suffice it to say I am in love with three amazing little guys and I can't wait to spend our second weekend together!!
The very most heartwarming part of the day was when the oldest casually asked,
"Hey mom, why is the pool cold?"
I'm not sure what answer I gave because I was too busy melting over being called mom!
It was a great day overall and 5:00 rolled around far too quickly. They went home with their provider with plans of coming back on Saturday.
We picked them up on Saturday morning and visited for a while at their place before heading back to the hotel. We spent another wonderful day playing in the room and the pool, and finished off the night with a pizza and root beer float party! This was our first overnight experience and it went so well.
They had told their therapist that one thing we should know about them is that they always say their prayers before bed. So when bedtime rolled around we started winding down and going through the motions:
Brush teeth - the littlest one had to gargle and spit 3 times and the oldest
wiped off the counter and inside the sink when they were all done;
Go potty - nothing is funnier than all three boys ringing around the toilet to pee at the same time!; Snuggle/Story/Highs & Lows - The younger two ran over to the bed I was on yelling
"I want to snuggle Mommy!"
(cue me melting again!)
and they loved the book and pointing out their bird, names, and pictures;
and finally prayers.
I had prayed with the oldest while the other two were bouncing around on the bed but when we turned out the lights, all three boys protested in unison "WE DIDN'T SAY OUR PRAYERS!!"
My hubby reassured them we could pray with the lights off, but they flipped the light back on, all flipped onto their knees on the bed, and did the sign of the cross (Catholic foster father) before the oldest began praying "Now I lay me down to sleep" with the little ones repeating each line after him. So stinking adorable!
The next morning we soaked up every last minute playing in the pool and room with them and then packed a picnic for the park where they would meet their siblings! Tears welled up in my eyes as we pulled and I saw my four kiddos waiting excitedly to meet their new brothers. We introduced them and snapped a few photos together before releasing them to play. It was so sweet to see how quickly they clicked and played together. We ate our picnic and played some more before heading back to drop them off. Our goodbye was not tearful, more so excited for when we would meet again.
We were able to Facetime them Monday and Tuesday and they were excited to see their siblings and a little bit of the house and some of the toys! Now we are set to head back tomorrow to spend the weekend with them! Praying the weather cooperates enough to allow us to get down there!
I could write so many details about the boys and the amazing first weekend we spent together, but suffice it to say I am in love with three amazing little guys and I can't wait to spend our second weekend together!!
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