New Year. New Placement.
After being officially licensed in the beginning of December, we didn’t think we would be waiting very long for a call. In that time, we got one call but it was for too many kids and we had to say no. Then we waited… for weeks. On one hand, we were glad that there were no kids being displaced during the holiday season and on the other hand our house was feeling rather empty.
Rather than to dwell on the emptiness, we embraced what will probably be some of the last weeks of “just the two of us.” We hung out a lot, watched movie marathons, and celebrated a quiet Christmas morning. It was great. Looking back, it was exactly what we needed. After getting off the emotional roller coaster which is the hours of probing interviews and piles and piles of paperwork, we needed a break. We probably needed a whole vacation, but that’s not always in the cards.
Then on December 31st we got a call for a boy who needed a foster home and there was no reason to say no. So about three hours later we got a knock on the door and a new house guest. We then had to fill out more paper work and get everyone situated. In a matter of moments, we became official foster parents to a six year old boy. This is foster care, it can and does happen that fast.
For the sake of his privacy (and for legal reasons) we will call him Junior. He is full of energy, has some decent manners (although not always implemented) and loves to talk! They call the first chunk of time the honeymoon period, but eventually that wears off and life falls into a routine. As with any other child, we are working on many things, but overall, he is a good kid who loves school, making new friends and learning. He even memorized his Bible verse for the week from Sunday School! Needless to say I was impressed!
During the first three days we were all catching cabin fever because it was so cold outside and we didn’t really know each other. Luckily we were able to get him enrolled in school right away so he started with the rest of his class. This is a new school for him, but he seems to be adjusting well and his teacher is awesome!
The hardest part by far has been instant-parenthood. Luckily, Patrick and I make an excellent team and that has made such a huge difference, but that has not made us completely exempt from exhaustion and occasional frustration . However, the progress that we see and the good moments make all the challenges worth it in the end. We also recognize that this is not for us, this is to give Junior his best chance. He might not be with us for very long, maybe just a few months, but we are going to give him as many tools for his tool belt as we can during this time.
We can’t tell you specifics of his situation, so don’t ask. (Sorry, not trying to be rude, but that’s the deal, no pictures either.) Through these little updates we can tell you about our adventures in parenting the children that come into our lives, Junior being the first. At this time, we don’t plan on taking another child, but that could change once we get used to this new routine.
We have already done some fun things. We’ve gone on a little hike, enrolled him in Karate and made homemade play-doh! Since this is all new, I am always looking for good ideas on entertaining Junior, especially on the weekends (and especially while saving money) so please feel free to share things you have enjoyed doing with your little ones.
2016 certainly started off with a bang and with each passing day we learn a little more about who Junior is, what he needs and how we can give him his best chance. I have found, personally, that creating good memories is so important, and remembering those good times helps give me extra patience with him when he is, well, being a 6 year old. This is all so new, but I know, without a doubt, that we are exactly in the place we should be. I can only hope our influence in his life, for however long that might be, will be positive. It is very clear, though, that having Junior in our home is pushing me to be better, to be more thoughtful, organized and patient. Everyone wants to be the best version of themselves and I have no doubt that being a parent will challenge me in many ways to be my best self! He is a blessing from God in so many ways and we are lucky to have the chance to get to know him.
-Morgan
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