Saturday, April 30, 2011

Baby Boy comes for an overnight.

On Friday morning I picked up our former foster son for an overnight.  He left us on March 7, 2011 to go live with his biological parents after two and a half years in our care.  It wasn't an easy thing to see him go but we had no choice.  His parents did work hard to get their lives on track so that they could be better parents to him and for that I give them credit.  The problem is that it took them way to long.  All that time they took to even start working their case plans their baby son was bonding and loving us.  It's been about 9 weeks since he left, 9 weeks since he has been to our home.  We did visit him three weeks after he left, but that time we just took him out for a few hours and then brought him home.

We were so excited when his mom called and asked if he could come for an overnight.  We will take every opportunity to get to spend time with him.  Going into it I was nervous.  How would he act, what would he call us.....the list goes on.  When I arrived at his home he literally ran and jumped into my arms but then leaned back and just looked at me.  He lunged for his mom and gave her a kiss.  I sensed his confusion or even his insecurity, which mommy should he be loyal to.  I told him that he would only be coming to our house for one sleep and then I would bring him right back to his mommy.  He was really excited to get in the car and we had a great time chatting the whole way home.

We met Bubba and Jeremy for lunch.  As he entered the restaurant he ran up to them both but them seemed so unsure as to what he should do.  Of course I encouraged him to hug them both and he did.  It didn't take long before he and Bubba were running off to play.  He still wasn't sure about Jeremy though.  After lunch we drove to our home and about a block from the house he said "I'm home."  Then when he actually entered the house he just said "wow" kind of in awe.  He ran all over taking it all in.  He wanted to go right to the toys in our attic.  He was pretty agreeable until we went outside.  Then he and Bubba began fighting over a toy and he got really aggressive.   I started to see that the little boy that left here on March 7th is quickly fading away.
We picked Goose up from school and put on a movie he requested to watch.  Then our family started arriving to see baby boy.  We went to the park (not for long) and played and ate.  At one point he and I were sitting together in the TV room and he just started yelling at me that he doesn't love me anymore, and he doesn't love Bubba or Goose either.  I just told him that we loved him even if he doesn't love us.  He told me that he was mad at me and that he was not a nice boy.  My heart began to sink.  This precious, wonderful, beautiful, smart, funny boy was in so much pain.  He is obviously grieving the loss of our family and I fear he isn't getting any help.  He is mad at us for letting him go (I don't blame him) and he doesn't understand why he doesn't live with us anymore.  

Earlier in the day I noticed that he was struggling to call me anything so I asked him who I was, he responded he didn't know.  I then told him that he could call me whatever he wanted, mommy or Kerry.  About an hour later he was calling me mommy but by then time we called his mom at bedtime he decided I was Kerry.  Hearing him call me that was so bitter sweet.  I want him to be comfortable and so that's what's most important but losing that "mother" status still hurts.  He never once said he wanted to go home and referred to his parents by their first names as well.  He is just so confused.  

Bedtime wasn't easy either he cried and pleaded so I would sleep with him (which I did until he fell asleep) but then I went back to my room.  A few hours later he appeared to sleep with me and proceeded to wake up every couple of hours and call out "mommy."  Who knows which one he was looking for, but having me tell him I was there allowed him to go back to sleep.

We went to Bubba's soccer game and more family came to see him.  At times he just seemed sad (he was also tired.)  
We ended up going out to lunch and he feel asleep on the way, he stayed asleep on my lap for awhile.   It felt so good to hold him close.  After lunch we took him back to our house to give him a haircut.
When it was time to leave he had a really hard time.  When they got to his house he had an even harder time. We think it isn't a good idea for him to come here for an overnight.  He really thought he was going to stay.  I guess we will stick to taking him on day trips and then bringing him right home.  My heart breaks for him and I pray that someone recognizes his hurt and gets him the help he needs.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I'll admit it... I'm an anxious mother.

I have had so much on  my mind lately (which is nothing new.) I have had some big decisions to make, decisions that will effect the entire family.  I can never seem to live in the moment, instead always thinking about the future.  I'm a total control freak and suffer from anxiety because of it.  I've been reading a lot about anxiety in children due to issues with Goose and am feeling really convicted to look at my own anxiety issues and how they effect her.  Again I am forced to look at myself first when trying to help Goose.  It makes sense to think that a mother's anxiety level will directly effect her children.  When you combine an anxious mother with an already anxious child, well you can figure out the rest.

Looking at Gooses' issues knowing that they are rooted in fear, loss, and anxiety really helps to clarify what we are doing with her.  Therapy has been huge in helping her learn about herself, her body, and how she can fight her worries. It has also started to cause me to think about how my constant state of worry is absorbed by here.  Yet another area of my life I need to work on.  I find it so interesting how parenting has really caused me to look inside myself time after time only to find out I don't like what I see.  But....it has also allowed me to see clearly areas I need to work on and I have been able to change.

God tells us over and over in scripture not to worry, it's even considered sinful behavior because it separates us from God and consumes us.  Instead of trusting in our Almighty Father we believe that we are in control and take upon ourselves what is not ours to carry.  How I long to be able to truly allow God to "carry my yoke."  I tell myself all the time that worrying will not change anything only actions will.  Taking action is always easier said then done, it takes a termendous amount of disicplin.  I am not a disiciplined person.

I have decided that I'm not going to babysit in the fall.  Being home all day everyday unable to go anywhere or do anything has been extremely stifling.  It's not at all like being home with your own kids.  I have missed out on being able to help out in Gooses classroom this year and it has really bothered me.  Looking back at our decision to have me stay home in the first place was so that I could be there for my kids.  As they enter school being there for them changes.  What once was a job of making sure they napped everyday and learned all the developmentally appropriate skills needed for preschool has now changed into helping with homework and being involved at their school.  Bubba is going to kindergarten next year and I really want to be able to help out in his class, chaperon field trips, and get to know his friends and their parents.  I feel good about this decision but it doesn't come without sacrifice.  The money I am earning as a daycare provider has been a big help and next year I was going to make double what I'm making now.  That being said I believe the grater value is in be their for our kids.

We are finally to a place where I will be able to devote all my attention to the two kids God has blessed us with.  Foster care is on hold, adopting again is on hold, babysitting is on hold, life may actually be slowing down. Of course this change, this new life pace brings its own set of worries.  Will I be able to be disciplined enough to not go shopping all the time with my new found freedom?  Will I find things to do with my time that doesn't involve the kids (does that kind of time even exists?) Will I become too consumed with Goose and Bubba's eduction, health, emotional and spiritual well being to the point where it becomes unhealthy for any of us? Will I sit around longing to grow our family and make rash decisions that are not in our families best interest right now?  Only God knows, but I guess it's good that I'm aware of all the possible things I may fall prey to.  My prayer will be that God grant me all the tools necessary to stand guard against these pitfalls so that I am not anxious about tomorrow but instead living for today. I am a work in progress.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A Play date with Jake

Playing Wii.


Watching a movie

Eating lunch

Noodle wars



Wrestling


Buddies

Monday, April 11, 2011

Spring!


Bike ridding.


Cooking on the grill.

Roasting marshmallows.



Brookfield Zoo
Love the butterfly flowers.


White Sox boys.


We ran into one of our former foster children at the zoo.  He is almost 3 and so cute.

In the Swamp Zoo, always her favorite.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Lake Geneva getaway



For Valentines day Jeremy gave me an overnight getaway at the...






Where we stayed


A wonderful romantic surprise.


Trying to look cute. Enjoying the champaign.


Our steak dinners at The Chop House

hers

his