We have a chart hanging in our dining room, called "The Mamma Chart." G named it. It is a count down from when we first heard that there would be a court date..... to the court date.....and finally when the boys can return home.
Today: We are at 12 more days. I feel like it it more like one. Tomorrow Mom goes to court. Friday-Sunday the boys will be with mom, then it is one busy school day and the boys will be home forever (hopefully) next Friday.
To say we are ready is one of the largest understatements we could make. This has been quite a journey. 7 months of hard.
In the past seven months, I have learned:
- 9 year olds are difficult. Give me terrible two any day.
-I love my little Caleb boy fiercely, and my "mama-bearness" reared its head...A LOT
-I am incredibly selfish and stubborn. They say when you get married, you learn how selfish you are. Then they say when you have kids you learn how selfish you still are. Let me tell you...raise someone else's kids, while they tell you how you are doing it all wrong....and you will truly see how selfish you are. Or its just me. I'm ok with admitting that I am not yet fully redeemed.
-I love the teachers in our elementary school. I have worked with them closely in the last 6 months. They deserve so much more praise, support and pay that they get. Thanks APS!
-I live in a great community, a community of parents willing to help out and love us.
-I can survive on very little sleep.
-Unless I spend time with Jesus in the morning, my day is going no where.
-Saturday afternoon naps are a must.
-It is necessary to sneak away with my hubby, even if it is a late night conversation on the couch with a glass of wine in hand.
-God is so good.
-God answers prayers.
-The system can work. God can work. People can change. I have seen a hard, stone cold, mean, angry woman, turn into a fabulous mom. It has been so good to grow this relationship with the boys mom, learning how she works, learning how to communicate and do what is best for her kids.
-My identity is found in Jesus only. Not in a 9 year old boy. Not in his mom. Not in the 7 month old who hates me. Not in our case workers. All I need to do is to follow Jesus. I don't need to please everyone, or anyone for that matter.
-I like sleep. Oh wait....I didn't learn that. I totally knew that about myself:)
It has been quite the process. It has been the hardest season of my life. The most exhausting, that's for sure. I am excited to see it end. I am excited to see a woman get her children back. I am excited to know that she has really changed. I am excited to spend some time as a family of three. I am excited to sleep again.
And.... I am excited for what God will do next.
Just in case you were wondering: In the last week, we had a baby girl for 2 days and were called to take a sibling group, one and two year old brothers. We probably won't be taking them. BUT...just wanted to keep you posted.
1 comment:
I hear you on the raising other's children, step into the unappreciated world of stepmothers and its the same.......I think what you are doing is amazing, keep it up!!
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