The Accepted Call...
**This has been a long time coming...Life with two tiny humans and working full time doesn't create a lot of free time. But here it is, the call that changed my life.**
Thursday, July 21st 4pm my phone rang...
Literally the worst timing for the call to come in. There were so many other Thursdays or Fridays in the past that would have been more convenient to take in a placement.
"We are needing to find a home for a 4 year old and a newborn are you interested?" That's all I remember really, I was so nervous that I forgot all my questions I had prepared prior to this moment to ask.
After work, the children's caseworker called me with additional information and to make sure I was sure about taking them in. Some of the information and unfortunately due to confidentiality issues I can't share made me ask "what have I gotten myself into??" However, as nervous and unqualified that I felt for what was about to happen, I knew this was the call I had been waiting for (the other two just didn't "fit"). We planned to have them brought over the next afternoon since it was late in the day. I had about 24 hours to prepare. That evening I tailored the room and clothes as much as I could to their age groups. I hardly slept that night because I had so many emotions and I was freaking out because this is actually happening.
Friday morning was so busy at work and all I could think about were the little ones who would show up at my door later that afternoon.
Around 4pm they arrived! The most beautiful little 4 year old redhead in pigtails walks right through my door like she belonged here. And then a precious 12lbs 8 week old baby boy. They had come from another foster home so they actually arrived with a TON of stuff. 6 bins of clothes and toys! The caseworker quickly handed me the baby and brought everything in and gave me paperwork that said I was now responsible for these tiny little humans and I signed some things and she was gone. It happened so fast. Once the door closed and I took a minute to process what just happened I was so overwhelmed with emotion. How is this even possible that just like that I became a mom to two sweet little kids?
We had our big summer work party that night (which I was told not to worry about trying to make), I thought why not brave it with them, I mean this is my life now right? It was interesting. There were a couple 4 year old meltdowns but thankfully I had lots of extra hands (my co-workers are great!). About 4 hours into being a foster mom, it happened. "Mommy?" followed by I don't even remember what. They teach you to not make them call you mom or mommy or even to really encourage it but if they do and they feel comfortable and it makes them feel better to allow it. It was the most surreal moment. I was someone's mommy for now.
That first night was HARD. The 4 year old (who I will affectionally refer to from here on out as Strawberry Shortcake because she's my sweet little redhead who loves strawberries) wept for her other foster parents. She said so many heart wrenching words about why she wasn't with them anymore. I literally sat on the floor with her and held her as we wept together. I remember texting my mom after that and telling her I can't do this. I can't be this strong for her. But someone needed to be, that's exactly what she needed. She finally fell asleep and I got a chance to go through their things and read through the papers that were sent with them. After reading those, I couldn't sleep. I think I slept for a total of 2.5 hours that first night.
The end of the first day...
I have had them for almost 3 months and I am just now writing this, life is BUSY! And when they aren't awake, I am cleaning, when I am not cleaning, I am sleeping. Life is exhausting but I wouldn't want it any other way.
To be continued....
Thursday, July 21st 4pm my phone rang...
Literally the worst timing for the call to come in. There were so many other Thursdays or Fridays in the past that would have been more convenient to take in a placement.
"We are needing to find a home for a 4 year old and a newborn are you interested?" That's all I remember really, I was so nervous that I forgot all my questions I had prepared prior to this moment to ask.
After work, the children's caseworker called me with additional information and to make sure I was sure about taking them in. Some of the information and unfortunately due to confidentiality issues I can't share made me ask "what have I gotten myself into??" However, as nervous and unqualified that I felt for what was about to happen, I knew this was the call I had been waiting for (the other two just didn't "fit"). We planned to have them brought over the next afternoon since it was late in the day. I had about 24 hours to prepare. That evening I tailored the room and clothes as much as I could to their age groups. I hardly slept that night because I had so many emotions and I was freaking out because this is actually happening.
Friday morning was so busy at work and all I could think about were the little ones who would show up at my door later that afternoon.
Around 4pm they arrived! The most beautiful little 4 year old redhead in pigtails walks right through my door like she belonged here. And then a precious 12lbs 8 week old baby boy. They had come from another foster home so they actually arrived with a TON of stuff. 6 bins of clothes and toys! The caseworker quickly handed me the baby and brought everything in and gave me paperwork that said I was now responsible for these tiny little humans and I signed some things and she was gone. It happened so fast. Once the door closed and I took a minute to process what just happened I was so overwhelmed with emotion. How is this even possible that just like that I became a mom to two sweet little kids?
We had our big summer work party that night (which I was told not to worry about trying to make), I thought why not brave it with them, I mean this is my life now right? It was interesting. There were a couple 4 year old meltdowns but thankfully I had lots of extra hands (my co-workers are great!). About 4 hours into being a foster mom, it happened. "Mommy?" followed by I don't even remember what. They teach you to not make them call you mom or mommy or even to really encourage it but if they do and they feel comfortable and it makes them feel better to allow it. It was the most surreal moment. I was someone's mommy for now.
That first night was HARD. The 4 year old (who I will affectionally refer to from here on out as Strawberry Shortcake because she's my sweet little redhead who loves strawberries) wept for her other foster parents. She said so many heart wrenching words about why she wasn't with them anymore. I literally sat on the floor with her and held her as we wept together. I remember texting my mom after that and telling her I can't do this. I can't be this strong for her. But someone needed to be, that's exactly what she needed. She finally fell asleep and I got a chance to go through their things and read through the papers that were sent with them. After reading those, I couldn't sleep. I think I slept for a total of 2.5 hours that first night.
The end of the first day...
I have had them for almost 3 months and I am just now writing this, life is BUSY! And when they aren't awake, I am cleaning, when I am not cleaning, I am sleeping. Life is exhausting but I wouldn't want it any other way.
To be continued....
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