Ryan and I have been fostering for about 15 months. While we are still fairly new to the game, we are also oddly seasoned because of the amount of kids we have had as placements. We have had seven placements of our own (which doesn’t count the six kids we took for respite, but still gave us some unique experiences.) Each case presents it’s own workers, schedules, appointments, court hearings, etc. I will go back in time a little and “introduce” all of the kiddos we had in our home.
1. Cutie Bug
Cutie bug was our very first placement. She was eight months old when we met her and took her home. That first night was crazy. I constantly had to check myself back into reality because all of our months of training and home study process was over and there was a real kid in my home.
Cutie bug screamed off and on for the first 12 hours or so. She was terrified, but finally fell asleep. I would try to lay her down in her crib but it would wake her up. So eventually I gave up and just held her all night. I was EXHAUSTED, but it helped her trust me a little bit. Cutie bug is adorable with her blonde hair and big blue eyes. She had many “firsts” with us including sitting up and crawling. When she left shortly after her 1st birthday I was sad, but I knew she needed to go home.
Cutie bug still attends the same daycare we had her at so we still see her often. I’m not sure she knows who we are but we get our fair share of hugs and high fives.
2. Half pint
Half pint came to us about a month after Cutie Bug. He was four at the time. He was the first kiddo I had to figure out school with. He LOVED school. Half pint was our little buddy. He didn’t play with toys that often, but liked to just do what we were doing. He enjoyed to watch Ryan play xbox and would get really excited when “he” won.
Half pint needed something to do, so we enrolled him in taekwondo. He wasn’t training for the olympics or anything, but definitely enjoyed his classes. Half pint was sweet and kind. He always had time for a hug and when he left shortly before cutie bug, I was sad. He genuinely went to a great place though and while I miss him I am happy for him.
3. Twin 1 and Twin 2
We met the twins on the 4th of July in 2018. We had them for weekends in July and we moved them the couple hours to our house on July 30th. Most people are aware their stay with us ended abruptly and painfully. No need to rehash that and I want to stay positive.
Twin 1 was athletic and artistic. She was shy and definitely the introvert. It took her quite longer to warm up to us, but when she did, she had plenty of love to give. She loved soccer and just liked basketball. Twin 1 loved school, but didn’t always like her classmates.
Twin 2 was full of life and a little crazy. She knew no stranger and loved to love people. She was rarely without words and was definitely the more opinionated one. She wasn’t a huge fan of sports, but did love to be outside. She also loved school but probably because everyone there was her friend.
The girls turned 5 with us and started preschool. They were loved by both our family and friends. We miss them.
4. Little man
Little man was next. He came to us at 8 days old on October 19th, 2018. We definitely were not seeking an infant but I am 1000% grateful he came to us. I don’t know how our story with little man will end, but I believe that God sent him our way at least for a season.
Little man is (almost) 6 months old. He is super happy and calm most of the time. My little man hates missing meals and loves to roll over all the time. He loves to snuggle and get smooches. His favorite thing is being sung to because he loves to dance and wiggle all over. Little man is officially the longest placement we have had to date.
5. Little bear
Little bear came to us at the end of January and stayed for two months. He was three years old. We didn’t have much time with him, but made good memories. Little bear loved Thomas the train, yogurt, and playing in the sand box. He is the oldest of several siblings so we were learning how to share and he was starting to understand it. He also learned how to say please when asking for things which was very cool.
Little bear went on to another home and is doing very well!
6. Little cub
Little cub is little bear’s younger brother. He is a few months away from turning two. Little cub is starting to come out of his shell more in the last week or two. He loves to laugh and his favorite time of day is snack time. Little cub likes cars and any toys that make noise. He also likes to build and is pretty good at cleaning up his own toys. Little cub is very sweet.
That’s the whole gang. Cutie pie, half pint, the twins, little man, little bear and little cub all have special places in our hearts. It is always hard to say goodbye, but sometimes you just have to take a breath and remember that Jesus wins and everything will work out.
I don’t know if we will add to that list. Nothing is ever certain. All we can do is live life and love the current crew well. That is the life we live and it is a beautiful mess.
Kourt