Opening your mailbox and receiving wonderful news

I arrived home today to get the mail as I usually do. Today was a different day because there was a letter from the county clerk...Oh wait can it be? A response on our de facto parenting...so soon?? I mean I had not forgot about it but I did think it would take quite sometime.
I open the letter to find that our request has been granted..."MC" is our first person for us to be a defacto parent for. We took a chance and filed it at four months and that leap paid off! We will now be able to be present at the court hearing and speak on behalf of what we have witnessed in regards to MC and her parents interaction. If for some reason MC goes to live with a family member and is put back in the system, we will be called. ANd if no family relative shows interest...and keyword "passes" then its very probable that adoption will open up to us. Its such a baby step but a neccessary step at the same time. Her social worker was very surprised to find that there was not a hearing scheduled to determine if defacto would be granted. I just smiled..... :) God is good!

An ending that resulted in a beautiful beginning

So this week we had the opportunity to be apart of a new beginning for a sweet young couple. Andrew who has since been renamed came to our home on 8/27/10. The sweetest little guy was a "safe surrender" baby who was dropped off at a local firehouse at two days old. I knew that this would be a fast adoption for a couple of lucky people. We took him in, knowing that our hands would be full with my two children, with MC( our four month old) and tons of other responsibilities on our plates. But I wanted to be apart of a happy experience that would not result in visitation, extra appointments, etc and just be able to love on a baby that needed some extra loving. How could I say no to a three day old??? Of course it was a yes!  We are so glad we did. The couple that he is with is not able to have children, they are in their late 20s and have no other children in their home. There were several families interested and this couple seemed to be in shock that this is really coming true for them.
Best of all Andrew looks like his new family! When I took him to the exchange meeting place, he locked eyes with his new mommy and would not break the gaze(not even for a second!!) It was a beautiful meeting and just felt right. Im so happy for him and excited about his future. Sometimes things just go the way they should go. That gives me hope in this system...even if just for a few days :)

My arms were made to hold babies :)

The last few days have been incredible. I now know what it feels like to have two small babies, one on each hip...to carry a carseat in one arm while the other one is holding another baby. Its actually quite entertaining to most folks. Doors are held open for you...well most of the time and by complete strangers!! Thats becoming more of a rarity here in California! The babies have been doing very well in having rotating feeding schedules so its not to overwhelming when hubby is at work. We have been truely blessed with lots of different outfits and necessities because people just love to buy for babies!!

This week pictures will be taken of "AD". He was a safe surrender baby so with no parents to reunify with he will most likely be placed in an adoptive home quickly. I love having this little guy around. "MC" is becoming a bit jealous of having to share us with another baby. We have been making more of an effort to get some play time in with her and shes enjoying it immensely.

Other news is husband has decided to take the plunge and get his vasectomy reversal..most likely in Oct/ or Nov. So more baby fixes to come!!

Even though this has been a huge change in the pace of our lives, we are glowing from the happiness these little ones are bringing into our home.

Another newborn :)

We received a call mid Friday for an opportunity to take care of another newborn. We were given two options and decided to choose the newborn that was not having drug withdrawls. I think it was the wise decision being that we are already caring for a four month old. Instead we chose "AD" who was born on 8/24. He is a new experience for us in more ways than one. He is a "safe surrender" baby so he will likely be moved along quickly to a home that is waiting to adopt. I know absolutely nothing other than his ethnicity and his birthday. This will be very interesting. But I have quickly learned that he is a very quiet calm baby. Im ready for the ride and the lessons to learn out of a new addition to our family.

I love our agency

We just received a flyer from our agency that we foster through. Im so impressed with them. They are such a wonderful team of support. This month they are sponsoring a Parents night out and taking all foster and bio children to a night of bowling/arcades/and pizza while they have each parent go out for a night of shopping, dinner and or a movie. I just think thats such a thoughtful way of showing how much they appreciate us. They continue to impress me :)

Rollercoasters

So this past week has been an emotional rollercoaster. But not like one I have ever been on because so much of the turns are unknown and that can be scariest of all.
So "M" (confidentiality reasons) had pictures taken this week for a social worker to try and find her a "concurrent family home" in the event that parental rights are taken away and she is put up for adoption. Hmmm ok why move her and make her have to bond with another family?

Of course it would be sad if she left to reunify with her family however thats the goal of the system so of course its something we know can happen...but an unnecessary move to a non relative..thats just silly!

We had a very good visit with her mom and dad this last week and if and when she goes back to her home with them, they seem very open to allowing an open relationship with her :) That will be something I am very grateful for since our family has grown very close with her.

Oh and to the person that is cutting and pasting parts of my blog...you are very good at taking things out of context. Please find something better to do.

Decision made!

To a long time friend ....

Yes I will miss you. But its time to say goodbye.
I have thought about this over and over, I may even cry ....
Its been nice to grab a hold of you in my time of stress
These next few days will be incredibly hard, I shall try my best.
Instead of that "Oh that tastes good" feeling that my tummy would make.
Its time for the intense throbbing of these massive headaches.
Hopefully they will be short lived and I will quickly pass this stage.
Im almost 30 and this habit has sure not helped me age
So long Dr. Pepper, it has been quite a ride.
But I have to do what I know is best for my inside.